Is the CASIO FX-991EX Classwiz allowed in Maths GCSE?

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This is always a bit of a mindfield as there is no list of which calculators are OK. The closest I can find is this post from the very helpful Graham Cumming, Maths specialist at Edexcel though it's not been updated for a couple of years. The link is via Edexcel GCSE but that's irrelevant . It stands for all JCQ supervised exams.

http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/mathematics-2015.news.html?article=%2Fcontent%2Fdemo%2Fen%2Fnews-policy%2Fsubject-updates%2Fmathematics%2Fuse-of-calculators-in-the-summer-2016-exam-series&pageTypes=

I wish JCQ produced a list of widely used calculators that were allowed e.g. the popular Casio calculators. There would still be questions about the less popular calculators but it would get rid of most of the confusion that students/teachers/parents have.

Reply 21

RuthieG101

regarding price...
I got mine from Tesco during a sale for £12.50 which I thought was reasonable for a replacement for my Casio fx-83GT. But I am going onto degree level maths.

Reply 22

Compost

Original post by Notnek

Agreed. JCQ is an umbrella organisation with barely any staff of its own and relies on the different boards for almost all expertise but they could still get Graham (or similar) to do the list.

Reply 23

Doones

Original post by RuthieG101

regarding price...
I got mine from Tesco during a sale for £12.50 which I thought was reasonable for a replacement for my Casio fx-83GT. But I am going onto degree level maths.

Depending on your university you may find it's not allowed for maths exams.

eg. https://portal.uea.ac.uk/documents/6207125/8551351/Guidance+for+use+of+calculators+during+exams/0a9d0bee-023a-4da0-831e-cadbd2676a78

Reply 24

RuthieG101

I'll be studying with the open university, so don't know the restrictions yet.

Reply 25

Doones

Original post by RuthieG101

I'll be studying with the open university, so don't know the restrictions yet.

2016 regs:
http://www2.open.ac.uk/students/_data/documents/assessment/exam-arrangements-31may-07june.pdf

Spoiler

Reply 26

RuthieG101

Thanks for info, they look similar to a level regulations so I should be ok.
from how I read it, the classwiz is ok and my graphics calculator too, but I'll double check once I get my paperwork (can't enrole till 21st march)

Reply 27

Shardik

Original post by Notnek

As a teacher, surely you’re aware that the fx991ES has been used by thousands of students at GCSE for the last 10 years, and this calculator has the ability to solve quadratics? Why is the EX different?

The AQA rep specifically said that the 991EX (Classwiz) was NOT to be used in GCSE exams due to it's functionality.

This was a specific topic picked up on in an AQA seminar on the new A level. The 991 Classwiz was so new at the time that one participant had the imported version because when he bought it you could not buy it in Britain.

AQA may be wrong. I don't know. However my colleague and I both heard the same thing.

Our exams officer is at a meeting in the near future which includes the exam boards and JCQ and we will seek clarification. I suspect the 991EX is OK at GCSE (and almost a requirement at A Level) but I'd like to know for sure. And I'd like it in writing. Right now, we are not allowing them.

As for the differences between the ES and EX . . . I cannot comment. I know the ES has been used in GCSE. There is a significant price difference but I'm not using either at present so I'm going on what was said at the seminar. If you can identify the key upgrades then please share.

Reply 28

Shardik

Original post by Notnek

I wouldn't recommend it at GCSE because it costs more and has unnecessary functions compared to e.g. the fx991ES. Although it could be used by a student throughout GCSE/A Level as long as they don't break/lose it :smile:

It's not banned though. I think the poster may have misheard the advice from AQA.

Hi,

As I've said, I don't own one of these but have a look at the 4th question on Amazon. Someone else heard the same thing as my colleague and I. The Amazon reply is not from either of us.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CASIO-FX-991EX-Advanced-Scientific-Calculator/dp/B0719FWP3X/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_229_bs_tr_img_1/260-6096944-8339716?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=A3A80482KK34JWFG10KJ

Reply 29

username3556062

Imma just ask here.
Is the Casio FX-550ES PLUS allowed for I/GCSE exams?

Reply 30

username1732133

Original post by Shardik

It's very strange that they should say this. The fx 991 ES also solves quadratic equations, cubic equations, linear simultaneous equations with two or three variables. As well as these functions in its equation solving mode it can also solve all sorts of other equations using the shift solve option.

The only feature of the 991 EX, useful to GCSE students, not available on the 991 ES, is the inequality solver. Even then, this is only useful for checking answers.

Reply 31

Notnek

Original post by Shardik

It sounds like there's some misinformation being spread here. The product description of the calculator says

"Recommended and approved for GCSE, AS & A level, Core Maths, National and Higher grades."

and you have an exams officer in this thread who has said it is allowed.

But most importantly, as has already been said there's no difference in the equation solving ability from the fx991ES to the EX. It still can only be used to check answers and can't do symbolic algebra so there's no reason why it wouldn't be allowed.

If you manage to get something in writing, it would be great if you could post it here so that students looking at this thread in the future will have official confirmation :smile:

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 32

peeked

Okay I’m a little confused, some people say that it is allowed whilst others are saying it’s not. I’ll look at all these posts properly again to see.

Reply 33

Doones

Original post by peeked

Okay I’m a little confused, some people say that it is allowed whilst others are saying it’s not. I’ll look at all these posts properly again to see.

Compost and gdunne42 are exam officers. They say it's fine.

So it's fine.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 34

peeked

Original post by Doonesbury

Compost and gdunne42 are exam officers. They say it's fine.

So it's fine.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Okay thank you very much.

Reply 35

username3025040

It's allowed at GCSE, but I don't recommend it unless you're planning to take maths at A-level too because it's pricey. I think the fx83gt (which I nicked off my brother, but I do seem to remember it as being cheap) is good enough for GCSE. But buy it if you're taking maths for A-level because the fx991EX is required for A-level anyway.

Reply 36

the bear

[video]https://thecalculatorguide.com/is-the-casio-classwiz-allowed-in-exams/[/video]

here is a relevant video :beard:

Reply 37

peeked

Original post by orderofthelotus

I am taking A-level maths, so I guess it’s not that bad of a buy as I’ll use it a lot.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 38

username3025040

Original post by peeked

I am taking A-level maths, so I guess it’s not bad of a buy as I’ll use it a lot.

Yep, you'll need it at A-level anyway.

Reply 39

RuthieG101

the fx-83GT is good for a level too.
I've just bought the classwiz to replace my fx-83GT after a few of the keys started to lose their markings, I'd had it since GCSE in 2014. im second year a level.