Calculator on DAT Achiever

Started by robotZER0
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robotZER0

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10+ Year Member
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Can anyone verify that the calculator on Achiever's QR is as good as the real one at the testing center? Thanks.
 
Can anyone verify that the calculator on Achiever's QR is as good as the real one at the testing center? Thanks.

it is exactly like windows basic calculator with + - * / functions along with 1/x, %, sqr root keys. It does not follow order of operations and you cannot click numbers very fast. Also it keeps digits in until you clear them (so if you close the calc and open it for the next problem they will still be in from the last problem).
 
it is exactly like windows basic calculator with + - * / functions along with 1/x, %, sqr root keys. It does not follow order of operations and you cannot click numbers very fast. Also it keeps digits in until you clear them (so if you close the calc and open it for the next problem they will still be in from the last problem).

Thanks for sharing this. What do you mean when you say it does not follow order of operations? Could you elaborate a little bit more on that?
 
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Thanks for sharing this. What do you mean when you say it does not follow order of operations? Could you elaborate a little bit more on that?

scientific calculators follow PEMDAS, but this calculator does not.

For example, if you type in 3 x 5 + 10, im pretty sure it would give you 45 instead of 25 as the correct answer. you have to hit the = key after each calculation. It's not a huge inconvenience, but sometimes it was just easier to do quick mental math/rounding instead of depending on the calculator for everything. It was pretty slow from what i remember as well.
 
scientific calculators follow PEMDAS, but this calculator does not.

For example, if you type in 3 x 5 + 10, im pretty sure it would give you 45 instead of 25 as the correct answer. you have to hit the = key after each calculation. It's not a huge inconvenience, but sometimes it was just easier to do quick mental math/rounding instead of depending on the calculator for everything. It was pretty slow from what i remember as well.

Oh, I see.

BTW, did you mean typing 10 + 5 x 3 = 45 instead of 3 x 5 + 10, cuz the latter would still return 25 still?

Thanks.
 
I did this but all it showed up was the word [calculator]. Am I missing anything to not get it work as it should?

I had same problem.

go download the updated version.

it'll fix it right up.

the guy even called me to see if everything was working. haha. that's dedicated customer service.
 
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I just logon to my account and re-downloaded the software like herkulease said, and the calculator now pops up like a wonder every time I would need to use it.👍
 
Just curious. Why can't Prometric simply hand out a basic calculator to us since this thing is going to be so unresponsive on the screen? Cost them only 2 bucks to get one at the dollar store.😕
 
I think you will all do better if you worry less about every detail of the calculator, and more about learning how to quickly set up a word problem. Those who are complaining about the QR aren't blaming the calculator.

I'd recommend diversifying the sources of math study because none of the test preps really nail it (at least the ones that I used: kaplan, topscore, destroyer, crack dat math, ...)
 
I think the calculator is going to be useful when comparing fractions and doing percentage calculations. That said, it should not be heavily relied upon.