*This policy applies for the USAD National Competition. Please contact your state director regarding the calculator
policy that will apply at your local, regional, and state competitions.
Please be advised that this new policy will allow the use of any model graphing calculator,
provided it has none of the features listed in Section III (Prohibited Calculators) of the USAD Calculator Policy. Please
also note the new requirements for the clearing of memory in graphing calculators.
USAD Calculator Policy 2008–2009
The United States Academic Decathlon® has always endeavored to reflect current high school curriculum and instruction in
our competitions. Recent surveys of calculator use in high schools nationwide indicate that calculators are now used
in the vast majority of high school mathematics courses across the country, and our decision to allow calculators is consistent
with this practice in math instruction.
After reviewing the policies of the major testing institutions and consulting state directors, USAD has adapted MOST of
the American College Testing (ACT) and College Board (SAT program) guidelines for calculator use as stated below.
I. Competitors
May Use Calculators for the Mathematics Test
If competitors wish to use calculators on the USAD Mathematics Test, they are responsible for bringing them to the test.
Calculators will not be provided for students who do not bring their own. Calculator use is permitted only for Mathematics;
competitors will not be allowed to use calculators on any other test.
USAD will now require all students to clear the memory of their graphing calculators before and immediately following the
mathematics test administration.
- All graphing calculators will be subject to inspection by test administrators and test proctors before and immediately
after the math test administration to ensure that the calculators’ memories have been cleared.
- Students will also be required to sign a compliance statement on the math test cover sheets certifying that they will
clear the memory from their graphing calculator immediately before the math test and at the completion of the math test.
II.
Permissible Calculators
If a competitor wishes to use a calculator, it can be a basic, four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator, provided
it has none of the features listed in Section III below.
III.
Prohibited Calculators
Calculators with any of the following features are NOT allowed in USAD competitions:
- pocket organizers
- hand-held or laptop computers
- electronic writing pads or pen-input devices
- models with an alphabetic (QWERTY) keypad, e.g. TI-92 or HP-95
- models with paper tape
- models that make noise
- models that can engage in wireless communication (transfer data or information with other calculators)
- models that require a power cord
- models with CAS (computer algebra systems), e.g. TI-89
Because companies are continuously introducing new products, it would be impossible for USAD to maintain an up-to-date
list of specific model numbers that possess these features. If a competitor is uncertain whether a particular calculator
will be allowed, the student should bring a backup that does not possess any of the features in question. No backup
calculator will be provided for any competitor whose calculator is disallowed.
IV. Competing
without a Calculator
Competitors may opt to take the Mathematics Test without a calculator, however, USAD is suggesting competitors use a basic,
scientific, or graphing calculator for solving the trigonometry test items.
V. Calculator
Failure During a Test
If a competitor’s calculator stops working during a test, the student should continue taking the test without a calculator.
No additional calculator will be provided, and the competitor will not be allowed to take the test again later. However,
as noted in Section III above, a competitor may bring a backup calculator and/or spare batteries to the test.
