Note: In March 2025, we updated the names of IXL’s diagnostics to better reflect the capabilities of our assessments! The assessment names, report titles, and other related terminology in this blog post may not be current. Get more information on the IXL Diagnostics here.
IXL’s diagnostics now feature a built-in calculator! This calculator will appear on select middle- and high-school-level math questions where calculator use is appropriate, helping students stay focused on IXL assessments while better preparing them for state tests. Let’s take a look at how this new addition will make IXL even better for assessing your students.
Streamlined math assessment experience
IXL’s calculator is available in Real-Time mode and Benchmark mode for both the IXL LevelUp™ Diagnostic and the IXL Flex Diagnostic. For questions that allow calculator use, students can open the calculator by selecting the calculator icon, which appears beneath the pencil-shaped Scratchpad icon. Once it’s opened, students can drag the calculator to their preferred spot on the screen.
The calculator will either be a basic calculator (limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square roots) or a scientific calculator, depending on the specific question students are working on. Both versions have been specifically designed to be similar to the calculators students often need to use on state assessments, giving learners a chance to get familiar with these essential tools.
Easy control of calculator access
IXL Flex Diagnostic
On their account settings page, administrators can choose calculator access for their IXL account. Admins can allow the calculator on questions for grades 6 and up or limit it to questions for grades 8 and up.
By default, accounts will allow calculator use for grades 6 and up (except for accounts in Texas, which will default to grades 8 and up to match Texas’ state assessment calculator policy).
IXL LevelUp Diagnostic
With the LevelUp Diagnostic, administrators do not need to manually provide calculator access.
The calculator tool is automatically visible on select questions where calculator use is appropriate, which are usually at a 6th-grade level or higher (except for accounts in Texas, which will only have the calculator on select questions at a 8th-grade level or higher, to match the state’s assessment calculator policy).
Students can take advantage of IXL’s built-in calculator tool to solve questions in either Benchmark mode or Real-Time mode. Learn more about how to facilitate the IXL Diagnostics with our implementation guides: