Ida M. Lawrence

Calculator Access, Use, and Type in Relation to Performance on the SAT I: Reasoning Test in Mathematics

To evaluate the effects of calculator use on performance on the SAT I: Reasoning Test in Mathematics, questions about use of the calculator on the test were inserted into the answer sheets for the November 1996 and November 1997 administrations of the examination. Overall, nearly all of examinees indicated that they brought a calculator to the test and about two thirds reported using them on one third or more of the math items. Some group differences in the use of calculators were observed with girls using them more frequently than boys and Whites and Asian Americans using them more often than other racial or ethnic groups. Use of calculators was associated with higher test performance, but the more able students were more likely to have calculators and used them more often. The results were analyzed further using multiple regression and differential item functioning procedures. The degree of speededness on different degrees of calculator use was also examined. Overall, the effects of calculator use were found to be small, but detectable.