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If my calculator runs out in exams

- I'm wondering what would happen if calculator ran out. It's one of the specialised, more expensive ones that can do probability distributions, polynomials, integration, differentiation etc. and if it ran out, would the college be obliged to lend me one of the same kind, and not a more basic, unspecialised one?
- If they failed to do so, would I be eligible for special consideration, depending on whether the current or following questions solely relied on a calculator? E.g. a binomial distribution question where the probability is 0.89, with a sample size of 58 (therefore not on the given tables)?
- If it took X minutes to replace my calculator, therefore stopping me doing a question solely dependent on a calculator, would that X minutes be added back on at the end? Or would I be asked to do questions with no calculator required and then come back to it when/if I get a replacement?
- If I don't get an appropriate calculator, would it be reasonable to complain to the exam board or college that I was impeded in my exam because my equipment wasn't rightfully replaced, therefore an unequal opportunity occurred?

Sorry if you feel this is random, but I need to know what would happen if I was in any of these situations, since my first exam (Maths) is in less than a week's time. Thank you.
Take two calculators.
Reply 2
Original post by JosephCiderBwoy
- I'm wondering what would happen if calculator ran out. It's one of the specialised, more expensive ones that can do probability distributions, polynomials, integration, differentiation etc. and if it ran out, would the college be obliged to lend me one of the same kind, and not a more basic, unspecialised one?
- If they failed to do so, would I be eligible for special consideration, depending on whether the current or following questions solely relied on a calculator? E.g. a binomial distribution question where the probability is 0.89, with a sample size of 58 (therefore not on the given tables)?
- If it took X minutes to replace my calculator, therefore stopping me doing a question solely dependent on a calculator, would that X minutes be added back on at the end? Or would I be asked to do questions with no calculator required and then come back to it when/if I get a replacement?
- If I don't get an appropriate calculator, would it be reasonable to complain to the exam board or college that I was impeded in my exam because my equipment wasn't rightfully replaced, therefore an unequal opportunity occurred?

Sorry if you feel this is random, but I need to know what would happen if I was in any of these situations, since my first exam (Maths) is in less than a week's time. Thank you.

The scientific calculator I bought in 2008 is still going strong on its original batteries so I think you'll be okay for battery life
Original post by JosephCiderBwoy
- I'm wondering what would happen if calculator ran out. It's one of the specialised, more expensive ones that can do probability distributions, polynomials, integration, differentiation etc. and if it ran out, would the college be obliged to lend me one of the same kind, and not a more basic, unspecialised one?
- If they failed to do so, would I be eligible for special consideration, depending on whether the current or following questions solely relied on a calculator? E.g. a binomial distribution question where the probability is 0.89, with a sample size of 58 (therefore not on the given tables)?
- If it took X minutes to replace my calculator, therefore stopping me doing a question solely dependent on a calculator, would that X minutes be added back on at the end? Or would I be asked to do questions with no calculator required and then come back to it when/if I get a replacement?
- If I don't get an appropriate calculator, would it be reasonable to complain to the exam board or college that I was impeded in my exam because my equipment wasn't rightfully replaced, therefore an unequal opportunity occurred?

Sorry if you feel this is random, but I need to know what would happen if I was in any of these situations, since my first exam (Maths) is in less than a week's time. Thank you.


Your calculator
Your responsibility

Your centre is not obliged to replace it, you’d get no extra time added or any special consideration and you’ve nothing to complain about.
Reply 4
It's on you if it breaks. If it happens in a maths test, you f*cked it.
Reply 5
Just take some batteries in with you if it's allowed, if not, maybe ask the invigilator if they can keep hold of it if it does die during the exam, I have a casio cg50 and that's what I plan on doing or just replace them before the exam.
Thanks for the clarification.
Original post by Fujoshi
The scientific calculator I bought in 2008 is still going strong on its original batteries so I think you'll be okay for battery life

That's sooo reassuring, thank you :smile: I bought the one I have now last year, so I must be in safe hands when it comes to batteries.

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