Students often expect educators to guide them on the use of a calculator during their Maths instruction but as exam season gets closer, it's in the interest of each student to check that they are completely familiar with their own calculator and that it is the most suitable calculator for their exam. It is usual to find Casio calculators in the classroom, whether that's staff calculators or school-provided calculators for students. We have taken a a look into Casio guidance to provide some clarity around which calculator to select if you are a parent or carer, wanting to make sure that your child is as ready as they can be come exam season.
Calculator manufacturers are well aware of the market for exam-ready calculators, this is why there is a large variety of calculators which also includes off-brands that don't deliver the functionality that students expect by calling themselves something similar to 'Casio'. When shopping for calculators, please ensure that the calculator is not a dupe to avoid disappointment. Some parents may ask why Casio is the preference in the classroom. The simple answer is that it keeps things uniform. Not only do educators rely on the same brand, they also rely on the same model of calculator so that when they give instructions from the board, students can easily keep up with the buttons that they need to press - shout out to the super teachers who are able to deliver instructions in parallel for multiple brands and/or models. However, there is no official list of calculators released by the Joint Council for Qualifications so it is up to each parent/carer and child to make the final decision between themselves.
During my time as a tutor, I have come across multiple students who use graphical calculators at A-level and others who are not aware that there are calculators which have more functions than those required for GCSE. Please be aware that the more functions calculators have, the more a student will need to learn and practice to ensure that these functions are of use when they get into exam conditions. However, once students learn how to use these functions, they will be able to complete questions more accurately and stay within the time limit of the paper. It is also worth noting that some calculators need to be put into exam mode either 12 or 24 hours before the exam to block some functions. Casio have released this helpful document outlining the exam eligibility of their education range as well as their wider range.
It is worth noting that the most commonly seen (above) calculators fx-83GT PLUS & fx-85GT PLUS have now been discontinued, in favour of more advanced technology. For GCSE, the fx-85GT CW and fx-83GT CW are now available.
The Class Wiz range had taken over at A-level for a few years following the introduction of the new specification with the fx-991EX (above) being the most commonly seen calculator.
However, it is now also being replaced by the fx-991CW (below) which has a completely new interface and an 'execute' button where pupils would have been used to an '=' sign. There is plenty to explore on this calculator whether that's traditional functionality using an upgraded interface or the features that have been introduced for the benefit of students sitting the Maths A-level.
Whether you are a parent, a carer, a student or a teacher looking for the calculator that will be the right fit for you, make sure you do some research, try out calculators from other people if possible and if you opt for a Casio calculator, be sure to check out these guides.