CAT Calculator FAQ

This calculator is an independent practice tool, not the official exam calculator, and it can't be used during the exam itself. Where an answer below cites exam rules, it names the source year — confirm current requirements for your exam year on the official CAT website.

Is a calculator allowed in the CAT exam?

Yes. The official CAT 2019 test-day guide, page 7, states that a virtual, on-screen calculator is provided within the exam interface, and that use of any separate physical or external calculator is prohibited. Practise with the CAT calculator to get familiar with its controls before exam day, and check the official CAT website for your exam year's current instructions.

Source: the official CAT 2019 test-day guide, page 7.

Which calculator is provided, and how do I open it?

The official CAT 2019 test-day guide, page 8, describes a virtual calculator opened from an icon shown above the on-screen timer during the exam. This website's CAT calculator is an independent practice tool that reproduces that calculator's controls so you can rehearse with it beforehand; it is not the official exam calculator. See the official CAT website for the current exam interface.

Source: the official CAT 2019 test-day guide, page 8.

How do I use the CAT calculator?

Enter a number, choose an operator, enter the next number, then press= to evaluate. For example, 12 + 8 = gives 20. Try it on the calculator above, work through the usage guide for the full set of controls, and see the percentage rules for how % behaves.

Does the CAT calculator have a square-root button?

Yes — this practice tool includes a √ button. Entering 16 and pressing √ gives 4. Try it on the calculator above and read the usage guide for worked examples. Confirm which functions are available on your exam year's calculator using your current official mock or the official CAT website.

Do I need to download a CAT calculator app for my PC?

No. This CAT calculator runs directly in your browser — there's nothing to download or install, and no offline app or package is provided.

Can I use keyboard input?

Optionally, yes: this practice tool includes a Keyboard input setting that lets you type calculator operations instead of clicking, purely for practice convenience. This is separate from the exam itself, where the official CAT 2019 test-day guide documents a mouse-only requirement and warns against physical keyboard use. Follow the official CAT website's current instructions for your exam year, and try Keyboard input on the calculator above to see how it works here.

Does this CAT calculator calculate scores or predict percentiles?

No. This tool only reproduces the exam calculator's arithmetic controls for practice — it doesn't process response sheets, calculate exam scores, or predict percentiles. Practise with the calculator to build speed and accuracy with its controls instead.