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Approved calculators for HSC Exams

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To ensure the fairness and integrity of HSC exams, NESA publishes a list of approved scientific calculators.

Approved calculators may only be used in HSC exams that are listed on the Exam equipment list page.

Candidates should become familiar with a calculator's operation before an exam.

Instructions on how to operate a calculator, such as booklets or reference cards, are NOT permitted in exam rooms.

Calculators must be switched off/reset for entry into the exam rooms.

Approved calculators

Approved calculators for HSC exams
Approved accessible calculators for HSC exams

Features of approved calculators

‘Approved calculators’ are scientific calculators that meet NESA’s requirements for available features. In addition to typical calculator features, NESA approved scientific calculators can typically:

  • calculate in scientific notation: EXP or ×10𝑥
  • calculate powers and roots: 𝑥² andSquare root of x; 𝑥³ and Cube root of x; 𝑥𝑛 and n root of x
  • calculate reciprocals: 𝑥-1 or One over x
  • evaluate logarithms and exponentials: ln 𝑥 and 𝑒𝑥; log10 𝑥 and 10𝑥
  • calculate trigonometric and inverse trigonometric values: sin 𝑥, cos 𝑥, tan 𝑥, sin-1𝑥 cos-1𝑥 and tan-1𝑥
  • calculate permutations and combinations: 𝑛𝑃𝑟 and 𝑛𝐶𝑟
  • convert between polar and Cartesian form
  • perform basic statistical operation to obtain measures such as mean, median, lower and upper quartiles and standard deviation
  • perform linear regression.

Prohibited calculator features

A NESA approved calculator may NOT include the following features:

  • programmable
  • graphing capability
  • computer algebraic system (CAS) functionality
  • inbuilt financial functions.

Definition of prohibited features

Programmable

A calculator is considered programmable if user can enter and store a sequence of steps to be executed by the calculator.

Graphing capability

Calculators with graphing capabilities can graph data or store, manipulate and graph functions.

Computer algebraic system (CAS) functionality

CAS functionality includes:

  • differentiation, integration and the solution of equations
  • symbolic manipulation (addition of algebraic expressions and binomial expansion).

Inbuilt financial functions

Inbuilt functions such as for the calculation of depreciation, annuities, simple and compound interest and break-even point.

NESA’s calculator approval process

Calculators previously approved by NESA will not need to be resubmitted by suppliers for approval.

Phase 1: Call for submissions

The NESA website announces dates for a ‘Call for submissions’ for calculator suppliers to submit calculator models for examination.

Existing suppliers will be notified via email.

For each calculator model, suppliers must send in 2 calculators to NESA. NESA will keep one calculator and will send one back.

A completed application form and the specifications manual for each calculator model must be sent in via email.

Calculators on the approved list can be used in the HSC exam in the year after their approval. (For instance, the approval list published in 2023 is for the 2024 HSC exam.)

Submissions are encouraged for accessible calculators for students with disability. Only one calculator must be sent in for the review, which will be returned to the supplier.

From 2024 onwards:

  • Submissions open: 1 June
  • Submissions close: 31 July.

Suppliers must complete the Calculator approval application form.

Phase 2: Review, recommendations and endorsement

The calculators are assessed. The assessment of a calculator considers:

  • NESA’s features of approved calculators
  • NESA’s prohibited calculator features
  • the syllabus content for which approved calculators can be used in the associated HSC exams.

Phase 3: Approval

Final approval of the calculator list is delegated to the Executive Director, Curriculum and Assessment.

Phase 4: Communications

Calculator suppliers will be contacted via email with an outcome of the decision for calculator approval and the approved calculators are added to the list of approved calculators.

From 2024 onwards:

  • Suppliers notified of outcome: Mid-August
  • Decision appeals: Within 14 days post outcome notification
  • Approved calculator list released: by last week September (for calculators approved for use in the HSC the following year).

Appealing a decision

Appeal submission

NESA follows the process to appeal a decision under the Administrative Decisions Review Act 1997.

If a calculator supplier wants to appeal the decision, they must submit the appeal through NESA within 14 days of receiving the calculator approval decision letter. The appeal must state the reason why the decision is considered unacceptable, making reference to the evidence supplied in the original application. The appeal must include new supportive evidence.

Internal review

NESA will conduct an internal review and make a decision within 21 days. This review will be conducted by someone who:

  • is suitably qualified
  • was not substantially involved in the process of making the decision under review.

The outcome of the appeal, and reasons for the decision, will be sent to the calculator supplier.

Contact us

Email [email protected] for more information about the calculator approval process or the addition/removal of calculators from NESA’s approved list.

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