kiwiasian

During my exam on Wednesday one of the test proctors came up to me while I was on the math section and told me that I wasn't allowed to use the graphing calculator I was using (TI-nspire CX CAS) because it had a keyboard. I told her that it was permitted on SAT because it doesn't fall under the CollegeBoard prohibition of QWERTY keyboard calculators. She didn't believe me. At the end of the exam, while collecting answer sheets the test proctor specifically requested my test be collected later and while doing so she attached some kind of slip to my answer sheet. Will my test score be invalidated? Is there anything I can do about it?

mathrom

I'm pretty sure you're allowed to use a TI-Nspire CX CAS - it has a keyboard, but it's not a QWERTY keyboard, so it's acceptable for the PSAT. I don't think they can invalidate your test because you used a permitted calculator, so as far as I can tell, you should be okay. I think the reason your proctor didn't think you could use that calculator is because it's really fancy with the colors and everything, but maybe not, I don't know... Do you know if the proctor looked at the type of calculator and wrote it down?

kiwiasian

Yes I am aware I am allowed to use it. I don't know if she wrote down the name of the calculator. I wasn't able to see what was on the slip she attached to my answer sheet.

If my score does get invalidated, what can I do? If I call CollegeBoard, I won't have any evidence in my favor if the proctor didn't write the model down.

jjatty

I think you would then contact the National merit people and submit an SAT score to qualify....

pckeller

Sadly, this is not the first time that I have heard of this happening. The schools SHOULD know the rules. I think I would not wait to see what happens. I recommend that you (and your parents) contact the head of your school's guidance department, bring a printout of the rules from the College Board and get them to both acknowledge that the proctor was incorrect and have the report of irregularity retracted.