An independent referenceNo. The Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium is banned on ACT Math in 2026 because ACT prohibits CAS calculators and lists TI-89-family models among prohibited Texas Instruments calculators.
No. The Texas Instruments TI-89 Titanium is banned on ACT Math in 2026 because ACT prohibits CAS calculators and lists TI-89-family models among prohibited Texas Instruments calculators.
The TI-89 Titanium is a TI-89-family CAS graphing calculator, and ACT prohibits CAS functionality and TI-89-family models.
ACT allows many 4-function, scientific, and graphing calculators, but that permission stops when a calculator has a prohibited feature. The TI-89 Titanium is recorded in this guide as a CAS graphing calculator in the TI-89 family with symbolic algebra capability. The ACT policy prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS functionality, and it also identifies TI-89-family model numbers under prohibited Texas Instruments calculators. This verdict is therefore not about the calculator being powerful, expensive, programmable, or graphing in general. It is about the CAS capability and model family. Do not plan to solve the problem by clearing memory, deleting files, changing modes, or promising not to use symbolic features. For ACT Math, choose a physical non-CAS calculator instead.
ACT prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS functionality and lists model numbers beginning with TI-89 among prohibited Texas Instruments calculators. The guide data classifies the TI-89 Titanium as a CAS graphing calculator, so this verdict treats it as banned for ACT Math.
“Calculators with built-in or downloaded computer algebra system (CAS) functionality are prohibited.”
Do not bring the TI-89 Titanium to ACT Math as a primary or backup calculator; this verdict treats the model as prohibited under the CAS rule.
A graphing calculator can be allowed on ACT, but a CAS graphing calculator is a different policy category.
Do not rely on disabling symbolic menus, resetting memory, removing programs, or hiding files to make a TI-89 Titanium acceptable.
For Digital ACT, built-in Desmos does not make a prohibited handheld CAS calculator acceptable as a separate device.
Check used listings carefully because short titles like TI-89 or Titanium may not explain why the calculator is barred.
If you need graphing support, practice with a non-CAS alternative before test week instead of switching on exam morning.
Do not treat the TI-89 Titanium as acceptable just because it can run numeric calculations; the symbolic algebra system is the policy problem.
If a tutor, parent, or older sibling used a TI-89 on another exam, verify ACT separately because SAT, AP, FE, classroom, and contest rules differ.
For borrowed calculators, check the front case, startup screen, catalog menus, and manual name before assuming the device is a non-CAS graphing model.
If your ACT prep book shows TI-89 shortcuts, replace those steps with Desmos, TI-84 Plus CE, TI-Nspire CX II, or another approved non-CAS workflow.
Do not pack the TI-89 Titanium in a backpack pocket alongside an approved calculator; leave prohibited devices outside the testing room entirely.
Practice replacement timing for quadratic roots, systems, matrices, logarithms, trigonometry, scatterplots, regression, and fraction-decimal conversion.
If a calculator rental program offers assorted TI graphing models, request a non-CAS model by exact name rather than accepting the first available unit.
Follow the current ACT policy and valid test-day staff instructions if they differ from this dated editorial summary.
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.
Color graphing calculator with programming features but no CAS capability.
No. The TI-89 Titanium is banned for ACT Math because it is a TI-89-family CAS graphing calculator, and ACT prohibits calculators with CAS functionality.
No. Clearing memory does not change the model family or remove the built-in CAS capability. This verdict treats the calculator itself as prohibited, not only a particular stored program or document.
No. ACT allows many graphing calculators unless they have prohibited features. The TI-89 Titanium is banned because of its CAS capability and TI-89 model family, not because every graphing calculator is banned.
Use a non-CAS calculator with an approved ACT verdict, such as the TI-84 Plus CE, TI-Nspire CX II, Casio fx-CG50, Casio fx-991CW, or TI-30XS MultiView. Check the exact model before test day.
Policies change. If this file is stale or incomplete, send the exact source URL.