The Best Calculator for PSAT 8/9 Math Test

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The PSAT 8/9 follows the same calculator rules as the rest of the PSAT/SAT family, so a graphing calculator is allowed on the math section, and choosing a good one now sets you up for the SAT later. Here are the best test-approved calculators for the PSAT 8/9 in 2026.

At a glance

1. TI-84 Plus CE – Best overall

The TI-84 Plus CE is the calculator most students reach for first. It’s approved for the SAT, PSAT, ACT, and AP exams, the color screen makes graphs easy to read, and since it’s the model most classrooms use, your teacher can always help you with it. It’s thin, holds a charge for weeks, and handles algebra through calculus and statistics.

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2. TI-Nspire CX II – Most powerful

If you want the most capable calculator that’s still test-legal, this is it. The TI-Nspire CX II does everything the TI-84 does and adds spreadsheets, Python, and the trick of showing a graph, your notes, and a data table on one screen. This is the non-CAS version, so it’s fine for the ACT too. A great choice for a future STEM major.

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3. Casio fx-CG50 PRIZM – Best color for less

Casio’s fx-CG50 gives you a big color screen and even 3D graphing for noticeably less than the Texas Instruments models. It’s approved for the SAT, ACT, and AP exams, the menus are easy to navigate, and it shows fractions and roots the way they look in your textbook. A smart pick if you want graphing power without the TI price.

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4. Casio fx-9750GIII – Best budget graphing

When price is the deciding factor, the fx-9750GIII is the graphing calculator to beat. It’s test-approved, quick, and even includes Python, all for roughly half the cost of a TI-84. The screen is black-and-white instead of color, but for a high-school math class or a big test it does everything you actually need.

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5. TI-30XS MultiView – Best budget scientific

The TI-30XS MultiView is the scientific calculator a huge number of classrooms standardize on. The four-line display shows fractions and exponents like your textbook, it runs on solar and battery, and it costs only a few dollars. It’s allowed on the SAT and ACT and it’s tough to wear out.

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How to choose

Always confirm the official calculator policy for your test first, then decide whether you need graphing or a scientific model, and pick one you can practice with ahead of time. A color screen and rechargeable battery are nice extras.

The TI-84 Plus CE is the safe, popular pick for the PSAT 8/9, and it carries straight through to the SAT. On a budget, the Casio fx-9750GIII does the same job for less. Practice with your choice before test day and it’ll feel effortless.

Frequently asked questions

Is a calculator allowed on the PSAT 8/9?

Yes. A calculator is allowed on the entire math section of the digital PSAT 8/9. Students in 8th and 9th grade can bring an approved handheld calculator or use the Desmos graphing calculator built into the testing app. For younger test takers, a calculator they already use in pre-algebra or Algebra 1 class is usually the best choice.

What calculators are approved for the PSAT 8/9?

The PSAT 8/9 uses the same calculator policy as the SAT and PSAT 10. Approved graphing calculators such as the TI-84 Plus CE, plus scientific models like the TI-30XS MultiView, are allowed. Phones, tablets, laptops and calculators with a QWERTY keyboard are not. Look up the College Board’s current approved list before buying a new one.

What is the PSAT 8/9?

The PSAT 8/9 is the first test in the College Board’s SAT suite, made for students in 8th and 9th grade. It has a Reading and Writing section and a Math section, and the math focuses on algebra, ratios, percentages and basic geometry. It is a low-pressure way to see where a student stands before the PSAT 10 and SAT.

What is a good PSAT 8/9 score?

PSAT 8/9 scores run from 240 to 1440, and a good score is one that meets the College Board’s grade-level benchmarks shown on your score report. Those benchmarks suggest a student is on track for college readiness. If the math score falls below its benchmark, the report’s skill breakdown shows which topics, such as linear equations, to practice next.

How do you calculate the PSAT 8/9 score?

Your total PSAT 8/9 score is the sum of two section scores, Reading and Writing plus Math, each reported from 120 to 720. For example, 560 in Reading and Writing and 540 in Math gives a total of 1100. The test is adaptive, so the second module’s difficulty depends on how you did on the first.