An independent referenceYes. The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus is allowed on ACT Math in 2026 as a physical non-CAS graphing calculator. This does not approve phone apps, emulators, connected devices, or calculators with CAS functionality.
Yes. The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus is allowed on ACT Math in 2026 as a physical non-CAS graphing calculator. This does not approve phone apps, emulators, connected devices, or calculators with CAS functionality.
The ACT calculator policy allows graphing calculators unless a separate prohibited feature applies. The Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus recorded in this guide is an older standalone graphing calculator and is not recorded as a CAS calculator. That matters because ACT prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS functionality, including TI-89-family models and TI-Nspire CAS models. The TI-83 Plus is a different non-CAS graphing calculator family. This verdict is therefore practical and model-specific: being old does not automatically make it banned, and being graphing does not automatically make it banned. For Digital ACT, students have Desmos in the platform, but they may also bring an approved handheld calculator during Math if it is not connected to the testing device. Use the physical TI-83 Plus, not an app or emulator.
ACT states that 4-function, scientific, and graphing calculators are allowed unless prohibited, and it prohibits calculators with CAS functionality. The stored calculator data identifies the TI-83 Plus as a standalone graphing calculator without CAS, so this verdict treats that physical model as allowed while excluding apps, emulators, connected devices, and CAS calculators.
“4-function, scientific, and graphing models are allowed unless prohibited”
Texas Instruments summarizes ACT calculator restrictions and lists prohibited TI CAS models such as TI-89, TI-92, Voyage 200, and TI-Nspire CAS. The TI-83 Plus is not in that prohibited TI CAS list, which supports the ACT-policy reading used here.
“Specific Texas Instruments graphing calculators prohibited for use on the ACT test include the TI-89”
Use the TI-83 Plus only on the ACT Math section or another ACT context that explicitly allows calculators.
For Digital ACT, Desmos is built into the testing platform, but an approved handheld calculator may still be used during Math if it is not connected to the testing device.
Bring a physical calculator, not a phone app, browser emulator, tablet app, laptop software, screenshot, or remote calculator session.
Do not confuse the TI-83 Plus with prohibited TI-89-family or TI-Nspire CAS calculators; exact model numbers matter.
If test staff ask you to clear stored material, delete programs with CAS functionality, remove covers, inspect labels, turn off sound, or put away accessories, follow that instruction.
Older calculators can have weak batteries, dim screens, sticky keys, missing covers, or unreadable labels, so inspect a borrowed TI-83 Plus before exam week.
Practice graphing, tables, regression, lists, probability, fractions, radicals, trigonometry, and degree-radian conversion on the exact unit you will bring.
If a school loaner cart has TI-83, TI-84, TI-89, and Nspire models mixed together, request the non-CAS model by exact name.
Because the TI-83 Plus is an older model, do a timed calculator check before relying on it: graph a line, open a table, clear lists, enter fractions, and verify the display remains readable.
If buying secondhand, avoid listings that use generic phrases such as school graphing calculator without clear photos of the front label, back label, battery compartment, and powered-on screen.
Recheck ACT's current calculator policy near your test date because this page is an independent dated summary.
Classic monochrome TI graphing calculator from the TI-84 family; graphing and programmable, but not a TI-30X or TI-36X model.
Rechargeable color graphing calculator widely used in US high school math courses.
Non-CAS color graphing calculator; distinguished from the CAS variant (TI-Nspire CX CAS) by the absence of symbolic algebra.
Yes. This verdict treats the physical Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus as allowed for ACT Math because ACT allows graphing calculators unless prohibited and this model is recorded as non-CAS.
No. Age alone is not the policy issue. The practical concerns are whether the calculator is a physical handheld, non-CAS, working, inspectable, and compliant with ACT's modification rules.
No. This verdict is for the physical TI-83 Plus calculator. It does not approve phone apps, tablet apps, browser tools, desktop emulators, screenshots, or software copies with similar keys.
Bring another non-CAS calculator with an approved ACT verdict, such as the TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus CE, TI-Nspire CX II, TI-30XS MultiView, or Casio fx-991CW.
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