Students’ maths skills unaffected by calculators

THE use of calculators by Junior Certificate students has not significantly reduced their basic maths skills, research has found.

Calculators have only been allowed in the exam hall for the Junior Certificate since 2003, although they have been in use for Leaving Certificate exams since 1986.

The study for the Department of Education by researchers at St Patrick’s College and Trinity College Dublin, examined the performance of students on tests with and without calculators.