Is Your Calculator GCSE Ready?

It is more than likely you already have been using a calculator in your studies prior to Key Stage 4.  However, it’s essential that you have an appropriate calculator for your GCSE exams and are familiar with using it before the exam. So, if you are just starting to study for your GCSEs it makes sense to check whether your existing calculator is suitable and permitted in the exam.

Calculators are permitted for both the GCSE Statistics (Edexcel) and GCSE Business (Edexcel) exams. Within the Study Smiles GCSE Statistics (Edexcel) and GCSE Business (Edexcel) courses, I use the Casio fx-85GT CW which meets the requirements for GCSE Maths, GCSE Statistics and GCSE Business.

However, if you are planning to go onto study GCSE Further Maths or A level Maths you might find a more advanced calculator, such as the Casio fx-991CW more suitable.  Casio provide a useful comparison on their website.

In relation to specific calculator requirements for your GCSE exams, the calculator must be battery or solar powered and a suitable size for use on a desk.

The calculator must not:

·         offer a language translator

·         offer symbolic algebraic manipulation

·         offer symbolic differentiation or integration

·         be able to communicate with other machines or the internet

·         have retrievable information stored, including databanks, dictionaries, mathematical formulae or text.

There are often a few reductions on calculators for sale over the summer so it’s a good time to have a look and make sure you are appropriately equipped.