An independent referenceNo. The Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS is not allowed on ACT Math in 2026 because ACT prohibits calculators with CAS functionality. Use the non-CAS TI-Nspire CX II or another approved handheld calculator instead.
No. The Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS is not allowed on ACT Math in 2026 because ACT prohibits calculators with CAS functionality. Use the non-CAS TI-Nspire CX II or another approved handheld calculator instead.
TI-Nspire CX II CAS includes CAS functionality, and ACT prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS functionality.
ACT allows many graphing calculators, but it prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS functionality. The Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CX II CAS is recorded in this guide as the CAS version of the TI-Nspire CX II family. That makes it materially different from the non-CAS TI-Nspire CX II, which has its own approved ACT verdict. The controlling issue is not the brand, color screen, rechargeable battery, graphing feature, or general Nspire family name. The controlling issue is CAS. Digital ACT testers also have Desmos in the testing platform and may bring an approved handheld calculator during Math, but a separate handheld calculator must still satisfy the ACT policy and may not be connected to the testing device. Clearing memory, using Press-to-Test, deleting documents, or promising not to use CAS does not make this CAS model acceptable.
ACT prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS functionality and lists TI-Nspire CAS among prohibited Texas Instruments calculators. The stored calculator data identifies TI-Nspire CX II CAS 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-Nspire CX II CAS to ACT Math as a backup for the non-CAS TI-Nspire CX II; the CAS label changes the verdict.
Check the front case, box, receipt, startup screen, school loaner inventory, and marketplace photos for the full model name before test day.
Do not rely on Press-to-Test, reset settings, deleted documents, hidden menus, or disabled features to make the CAS model acceptable.
For Digital ACT, Desmos is available in the testing platform, but that does not permit a separate prohibited CAS handheld calculator.
If a teacher or tutor says an Nspire calculator is allowed, ask whether they mean the non-CAS TI-Nspire CX II rather than the CAS model.
If borrowing from a school cart, request the non-CAS model by exact name and practice on that exact unit before timed sections.
Build replacement workflows for graphing, tables, regression, equation solving, fractions, radians, degrees, probability, and statistics before exam week.
If your classroom notes, prep book, or online tutorial uses CAS commands such as symbolic solve, expand, factor, derivative, integral, or exact algebra simplification, rebuild those steps on a permitted non-CAS device.
Use a plain-language test-day rule for family confusion: CX II without CAS can be a different verdict; CX II CAS should stay home for ACT.
When switching devices, rehearse numeric substitution, intersection, table tracing, regression entry, window setup, fraction approximation, and equation-checking methods so the replacement calculator does not slow the Math section.
Leave the CAS model outside the testing room instead of carrying it next to an approved calculator and creating check-in confusion.
Recheck ACT's current calculator policy close to test day because this page is an independent dated summary of the official rule.
Non-CAS color graphing calculator; distinguished from the CAS variant (TI-Nspire CX CAS) by the absence of symbolic algebra.
Rechargeable color graphing calculator widely used in US high school math courses.
Classic monochrome TI graphing calculator from the TI-84 family; graphing and programmable, but not a TI-30X or TI-36X model.
No. The TI-Nspire CX II CAS is banned for ACT Math because it is a CAS calculator, and ACT prohibits calculators with built-in or downloaded CAS functionality.
No. The non-CAS TI-Nspire CX II and TI-Nspire CX II CAS are different policy cases. The non-CAS model can be allowed, while the CAS model should be treated as prohibited.
Do not rely on Press-to-Test or a similar restriction mode. This verdict follows the model and feature rule: a handheld calculator with CAS functionality should be treated as banned for ACT Math.
Use a non-CAS calculator with an approved ACT verdict, such as the TI-Nspire CX II, TI-84 Plus CE, TI-84 Plus, TI-30XS MultiView, or Casio fx-991CW.
Policies change. If this file is stale or incomplete, send the exact source URL.