AFOQT Calculator Policy: Doing Math Without One

No calculators allowed on the AFOQT! Here’s how to handle the math sections without one.

What’s Tested

The Arithmetic Reasoning and Math Knowledge subtests require mental math and estimation skills. Questions are designed to be solvable without a calculator.

Quick Tips

  • Estimate first – eliminate obviously wrong answers
  • Use scratch paper – it’s provided at the testing center
  • Know your basics – multiplication tables, common fractions, percentages
  • Practice without a calculator – build speed and confidence

Common Mistakes

Don’t spend too much time on any single problem. If a calculation is taking too long, make your best estimate and move on. Time management is crucial.

The AFOQT tests your reasoning ability, not your calculator skills. Practice mental math daily during your preparation.

Jennifer Walsh

Jennifer Walsh

Author & Expert

Senior Cloud Solutions Architect with 12 years of experience in AWS, Azure, and GCP. Jennifer has led enterprise migrations for Fortune 500 companies and holds AWS Solutions Architect Professional and DevOps Engineer certifications. She specializes in serverless architectures, container orchestration, and cloud cost optimization. Previously a senior engineer at AWS Professional Services.

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