Students’ use of graphics calculators under examination conditions

The use of graphics calculators by students taking a traditional calculus test was studied by analysing the examination scripts of a representative sample of 37 first‐semester students studying calculus. Analysis of students’ responses showed that, contrary to expectations, the calculator was under‐utilized by most students, both in terms of the amount and the way in which it was used. The capacity of the students to deal simultaneously with graphical and algebraic information from two independent sources, seemed to be the main obstacle to effective use. Finally, when students use a graphics calculator to help them answer questions in a traditional calculus examination, the examiner can often gain more insight into the students’ true level of understanding than if they did not use it.