Calculator accepted for NCEA/Cambridge exams

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CrashAndBurn

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#284230 8-Apr-2021 21:53

My son needs a calculator for exams and I was wondering what is the best model available in NZ that is allowed for NCEA/Cambridge.

I found this one Casio FX991ESPLUS2 Scientific Calculator Cambridge Exams

Any other recommendation for something that he could use in the next few years? I tried to search for higher end ones but apparently once its considered a graphics one or have a memory bank then it is not allowed.

elpenguino

3419 posts

Uber Geek

#2689645 8-Apr-2021 23:18

When you say best, what do you mean?

One of the things with exams is that the working out process is part of the exam so a fancy calculator that does all the intermediate steps for you doesn't necessarily help you.

Happy to be corrected here but I have done engineering exams in the last few years and I coped OK with a FX82.

YMMV

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CrashAndBurn

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2689648 8-Apr-2021 23:24

elpenguino:

When you say best, what do you mean?

One of the things with exams is that the working out process is part of the exam so a fancy calculator that does all the intermediate steps for you doesn't necessarily help you.

Happy to be corrected here but I have done engineering exams in the last few years and I coped OK with a FX82.

YMMV

Am after the highest model accepted for exams. My thinking is that it would be better to have the functions available and not use it than need it and its not there.

yitz

2074 posts

Uber Geek

#2689657 9-Apr-2021 01:03

The NZQA list is here:
https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/subjects/approved-calculator-list/

It is quite common to have a graphing calculator, especially if taking maths subjects at senior levels year 12-13 with some schools even recommending their use from year 11. The Casio FX-9750 II would be the most common graphics calculator. They can be taken into official NCEA mathematics/statistics examinations at any level and most schools have encouraged their use especially with uptake of digital technologies in classrooms over the past decade. For further advice you should ask the subject or classroom teacher as to when they are used.

There is a lively second hand market for graphing calculators at the end of secondary as they are generally not used in exams at university level.

There is also a move toward digital exams in the future at which time standalone calculators would potentially no longer be necessary, however there are no plans for this as of yet and maths exams at secondary level remain hand written.

The Assessment Specifications pages describe which subject exams calculators may be used and where graphing calculators may be advantageous:
https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/ncea/subjects/assessment-specifications/

neb

11294 posts

Uber Geek

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#2690129 9-Apr-2021 17:43

I wouldn't go overboard on the most fancy calc because they'll never be used again outside of passing the exams. The fanciest calcs you can get in any case cost $0 - $5, and are sold in the app store.

Nate001

638 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2690164 9-Apr-2021 18:44

A fancier calculator will not help them. I used throughout highschool and univeristy, and still use on a daily basis at work the same fx-100MS calculator. Speed and knowledge of how to use the tool is better than a tool that does too much with no idea how to use.

mattenz

190 posts

Master Geek

#2690166 9-Apr-2021 18:48

There will be plenty on Trademe from people who overspent on something that they realised that they don't need. The advantage that you'll get from a graphing calculator isn't worth the trouble of learning to use it, the exams are meant to be easily passable with an FX82.

yitz

2074 posts

Uber Geek

#2690195 9-Apr-2021 20:21

Agree you don't actually need them but depending on school if more than half the class are going to have one and they are going to be teaching how to use it in the classroom (ask the teacher) you might as well get one they are around $50 second hand. Can hand down or flog off at the end, at this stage it's looking like written exams for maths/science aren't going anywhere until after 2024.

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CrashAndBurn

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2690216 9-Apr-2021 20:38

Thanks for the comments so far. He is currently using a basic one and he does know how to work his way to solving problems using it. I only considered getting him a better one as half of his class is using the same model I mentioned in my original post and I feel that as a parent, if I have the means to provide then I should. I guess I will need to have a further chat with my son to see if he really needs one. Just have this feeling that he is currently at a disadvantage during exams given the time constraints.

mattenz

190 posts

Master Geek

#2690219 9-Apr-2021 20:51

I guess maybe the numerical integration/differentiation/equation solving would be handy for checking answers, but don't they usually want the analytical answer anyway?

CrashAndBurn

668 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2690224 9-Apr-2021 21:10

mattenz:

I guess maybe the numerical integration/differentiation/equation solving would be handy for checking answers, but don't they usually want the analytical answer anyway?

Yes, that is what my son told me. Just to give him that extra option to check his answers as he normally does it manually and I have been telling him every time that its showing your work that counts.