GRE Calculator Use

You will be provided with a basic on-screen calculator during the Quantitative section of the GRE test. To maximize your score you'll need to use GRE calculator smartly and the main thing to remember here is to be strategic. Just do not use the calculator because it's available! It may make more sense to use scratch paper for simple calculations. For example, you don't need calculator to calculate 2800/10, 40-530, 210*4, etc. Also if you work with fractions and you need to provide an answer in a fraction vs a decimal, do not use GRE calculator. You will almost certainly waste precious time trying to make conversions, instead just proceed with calculations on scratch paper. Other things to you need to know:

1) The GRE calculator keeps order of operations

You need to remember the order of operations PEMDAS (parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction) when you are working with the calculator. To better remember this acronym just use this saying: "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally". So be careful, if you don't put your numbers in the right order during calculations, you'll get the wrong result. In case you are not familiar with the order operations on GRE calculator, you can download GRE Calculator app for Windows/Mac.

2) For Fill In questios there is an ddition button on GRE calculator: "Transfer Display"

So, to transfer your calculation into the answer box you can use the button called "Transfer Display". While this can save some time, you should be careful, since sometimes the question is asking to round the final answer and and always check whether the right numbers transferred into the answer box (you can estimate final result mentally).

3) "Error" message can be displayed sometimes

Because the GRE calculator can only display up to 8 digits and works only with real numbers sometimes you'll see the "Error". To get rid of it you'll need to hit clear the "C" button.

4) All button work the same way as a regular four function calculator

There are the sign button, the square root button, the memory buttons and the parentheses buttons. As with any part of the GRE, you should practice using these functions before you ever step into the test center. The best way to do that is to practice with the help of free GRE Calculator online. Remember, the calculator can be one more tool to boost your problem solving speed and maximize your final GRE score.