The Banned Calculator List

Courtesy of Mr M:

Mr M

Casio: Algebra FX2.0, Algebra FX2.0 PLUS, ClassPad 300, ClassPad 300 PLUS, ClassPad 330
Hewlett Packard: HP 40G, HP 40GS, HP 48G, HP 48G II, HP 49G, HP 49G PLUS, HP 50G
Texas Instruments: TI-89, TI-89 (Titanium), TI-92, TI-92 PLUS, Voyage 200, TI-nspire CAS

Reply 1

th2

2

lol , thread = win

Reply 2

Kameo

2

My sixth form doesn't even check our calculators so....

:P

Reply 3

dave6666

why are these banned exactly?

Reply 4

Mr M

20

dave6666

why are these banned exactly?

They allow you to carry out SYMBOLIC (this is not the same as numeric) integration, differentiation and algebra.

Reply 5

antigen

Mr M

They allow you to carry out SYMBOLIC (this is not the same as numeric) integration, differentiation and algebra.

do people go around checking this stuff? i have a casio 98 something or other so i am ok, but really? how do they monitor it?

Reply 6

Mr M

20

antigen

do people go around checking this stuff? i have a casio 98 something or other so i am ok, but really? how do they monitor it?

Those people in the examination hall with you are called invigilators. It would not be unreasonable to expect them to be vigilant.

Your Centre could also be inspected by your Awarding Body during your examination.

In my day, you used to have to write the make and model of your calculator on the front of your answer book.

Reply 7

antigen

Mr M

Those people in the examination hall with you are called invigilators. It would not be unreasonable to expect them to be vigilant.

hah i doubt they even know these rules and ive never seen them check

Reply 8

Mr M

20

antigen

hah i doubt they even know these rules and ive never seen them check

Well during an inspection, any invigilator can be tested on any part of this 46 page document:

http://www.jcq.org.uk/attachments/published/898/2.%20ICE%2009-10.pdf

Page 14 prohibits symbolic algebra, symbolic integration and symbolic differentiation.

Exams Officers and Heads of Department have been informed which calculators to look out for. I would expect them to brief their invigilation teams at least once per year during invigilator training.

Reply 9

aper_son

2

Mr M

They allow you to carry out SYMBOLIC (this is not the same as numeric) integration, differentiation and algebra.

So the FX-991ES is okay then?

I assume that list isn't definitive.

Reply 10

LydiaC121

3

I have a Casio fx-3650P. heeheehee
and it's banned :P

Reply 11

JAKstriked

11

aper_son

So the FX-991ES is okay then?

I assume that list isn't definitive.

It is pretty much definitive. and of course the 991 is ok, that's pretty much the standard and can't do anything symbolic.

Reply 12

Mr M

20

aper_son

So the FX-991ES is okay then?

I assume that list isn't definitive.

Graham Cumming (Edexcel's top mathematician) replies:

"There is no list of calculators which can be used, though it can probably be assumed that any calculator that is not on the list above is permissible. This includes graphical calculators, those which can perform numerical differentiation and integration, manipulate matrices, change bases, etc. Calculator manufacturers are quite canny in making sure their latest models adhere to the regulations, so chances are anything that's come out recently is also allowed."

Reply 13

lawstudent096

Mr M

Well during an inspection, any invigilator can be tested on any part of this 46 page document:

http://www.jcq.org.uk/attachments/published/898/2.%20ICE%2009-10.pdf

Page 14 prohibits symbolic algebra, symbolic integration and symbolic differentiation.

Exams Officers and Heads of Department have been informed which calculators to look out for. I would expect them to brief their invigilation teams at least once per year during invigilator training.

But it would be unfair of them to implement these rules if the students aren't even made aware?

Because We were never told this in either GCSEs or A Levels.

I have a feeling it maybe because they rather not police something like this and assume all is well as is the case. If they told people about these calculators, people would actually try to get them and it would mean checking every students calculator thereafter?