The makers of the GRE require you to use their online calculator.
No, it’s not just to torture you, even though you may feel that this is the result.
It looks something like this:
It has basic functions with a minimal display area. Likely it is much more basic and awkward than you would expect, after “bonding” with a scientific calculator or a graphing calculator. And the flow of use is different from a more advanced calculator.
Some thoughts on why this is all they provide:
The exam is architected to determine your reasoning and problem-solving ability, so the numerical calculations are secondary. In fact, they will never give you a question that requires tons of punching numbers in; it’s a waste of your precious test time. After all, the section is called “Quantitative Reasoning” and not “Math.”
Many candidates have acquired the habit of automatically reaching for the calculator for every computation. It may feel faster and safer, but that’s true only for only a minority of the problems.
Using the calculator judiciously may be another way they test your time management skills.
A surprising percentage of candidates don’t have their basic math facts memorized and automatic. If this is you, learn them now! It’s an easy, no-brainer way to scoop up a few extra points on the exam.