Calculators for use in the General Mathematics HSC Examination
In the General Mathematics HSC Examination, the approved list of scientific calculators does not apply. The criteria for the use of calculators in the General Mathematics HSC Examination are in the Higher School Certificate Examination Timetable, and are reproduced below.
In the General Mathematics HSC examination students are permitted to use calculators, including graphics calculators.
Note:
- Calculators must be handheld and silent in operation
- Permitted devices must be primarily calculators. For example, devices that include a calculator function among other ‘apps’ or which incorporate a QWERTY keyboard are NOT permitted.
- Calculators that also operate as communication devices are NOT permitted.
- All memories and storage facilities must be cleared before the calculator is brought into the examination room (see below).
- Memory cards or other peripheral devices must NOT be brought into the examination room.
- Instruction booklets or cards (eg reference cards) on the operation of calculators are NOT permitted in the examination room. Candidates are expected to familiarise themselves with the calculator’s operation beforehand.
Clearing graphics calculators’ memories and storage facilities
As graphics calculators’ storage facilities are not cleared by switching them off, candidates intending to take such calculators into the examination room for the General Mathematics HSC Examination need to familiarise themselves with the steps involved in clearing their graphics calculators’ storage facilities.
The steps required to clear the storage facilities (reset) of commonly used Casio, Hewlett-Packard, Sharp and Texas Instruments graphics calculators are provided below:
Casio
The fx-7400G PLUS and fx-9850GB PLUS calculators are reset by pressing the P button on the back of the calculator (the RESET confirmation screen appears), and then pressing F1 (Yes) to reset the calculator.
Hewlett-Packard
The HP 38G, HP 39G and HP 40G calculators are reset by pressing and holding the ON key, the first and last (far left and far right) menu keys simultaneously, then releasing all keys.
Sharp
The EL-9600 and EL-9650 calculators are reset by pressing the reset switch on the back of the calculator, and then pressing the CL
Texas Instruments
The TI-82 is reset by pressing 2nd MEM (to display the memory screen), selecting 3:Reset and then 2:Reset. The TI-83 is reset by pressing 2nd MEM , selecting 5:Reset, selecting 1:All memory and then 2: Reset. The TI-83PLUS is reset by pressing 2nd MEM , selecting 7:Reset, selecting ‘ALL’, and then 2:Reset.