GCE Examinations

Date :26 January 2006

Guidelines on the use of Scientific Calculators in GCE Examinations.

The following guidelines are to be adhered to where the use of scientific calculators isallowed in examinations. Candidates must be informed in advance that:

(a) the calculator must be silent, with a visual display only.

(b) the working condition of the calculator (including the power supply) is the responsibilityof the candidates and a fault in a calculator will not normally be considered as justifying the giving of special consideration to the user.

(c) calculator cases, instruction leaflets or instructions and formulae printed on the lid or cover of a calculator or similar materials must not be in the possession of candidates during the examination (where the instructions cannot be removed they should be securely covered).

(d) external storage media, e.g. card, tape, and plug-in modules must not be in the possession of candidates during the examination.

(e) calculators must not be borrowed from other candidates in the course of theexamination for any reason.

(f) standard scientific calculators with features such as Fraction calculations; Permutation; Combination; Statistical calculations such as mean, standard deviation and factorials; Regression analysis;Complex number calculations and Polar/Rectangular coordinate conversions are acceptable.

(g) programmable calculators and those with permanent features of a programmed kind such as numerical integration; symbolic differentiation; symbolic integration and symbolic algebraic manipulation are prohibited.

(h) calculators which are able to display graphical representation of functions or data, e.g.calculators with data banks or graphic displays, are prohibited.

(i) calculators with the capability of remote communication with other machines, e.g.infra-red communication capability, are prohibited.

Graphic calculators are allowed for use in the New GCE A-Level Curriculum from 2006. Candidates are responsible for clearing any information and/or programs stored in thegraphic calculators before the examination. In addition to the acceptable features of the scientific calculators, programmablecalculators may be used but no prepared programs may be taken into the examination room. Information (including text or formulae) and/or programs stored in the calculator’s memory must be cleared before the examination. Calculators with built-in Symbolic Algebra manipulations and Symbolic differentiationor integration are prohibited. Calculators with the capability of remote communication with other machines, e.g.infra-red communication capability, are prohibited.  The use of any calculators with unacceptable features or for retrieval of information/programs during the examinations is an infringement of the regulations.

Approved HP Scientific Calculator - HP10s.