Reasoning in the Presence of the Calculator on the SAT
Presented at the 2012 NCTM Annual Meeting and Exposition
Philadelphia
Thursday, April 26, 2012: 8:00AM – 9:00AM
Presenters:
Robin K. O’Callaghan rocallaghan@collegeboard.org
Andrew Schwartz: anschwartz@collegeboard.org
Please e-mail us if you would like to receive a copy of the PowerPoint
presentation.
Description of Presentation:
How can the SAT Mathematics test engage students in reasoning and sense making in the
presence of the calculator? How does the calculator provide additional solution options for SAT
questions? What have we learned about how students use their calculators on the SAT? Come
hear the answers to these questions and more.
Objectives of Proposed Presentation:
An important college admissions test, the SAT must assess reasoning and sense making and at
the same time take into account the technology students have available to them in the classroom.
Particularly in the area of algebra, it is a challenge to keep the test fair and equitable while
allowing students to employ a variety of solution strategies, some involving the calculator.
Attendees will see how the SAT addresses this challenge of maintaining a reasoning test in the
presence of technology.
Focus on Math
Explain the math content showcased and the links to student growth and math.
The content showcased is:
 Number and Operations
 Algebra and Functions
 Geometry and Measurement
 Data, Statistics, and Probability
The presentation will illustrate how SAT questions in all of these content areas admit a variety of
solution strategies, some of which allow students to employ the use of calculators.
The presenters will discuss the role calculators can play in problem solving, translating among
multiple representations, reasoning, making connections, and communicating.