Best Calculator To Use On Fe Exam

Find Your Ideal FE Exam Calculator

The NCEES FE exam has strict rules about approved calculators. This tool helps you find the best calculator to use on the FE exam from the allowed list based on your preferences.

Understanding the Best Calculator to Use on the FE Exam

What is the Best Calculator to Use on the FE Exam?

The “best calculator to use on the FE exam” is not just any powerful calculator; it must be one of the models explicitly approved by NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying), the body that administers the FE exam. NCEES maintains a strict calculator policy to ensure fairness and prevent the use of devices with communication capabilities or extensive pre-programmed information beyond standard functions.

The best calculator for YOU from the approved list depends on your personal preferences, budget, familiarity with certain brands, and sometimes even your specific engineering discipline. The goal is to find an NCEES-approved calculator that you are comfortable and efficient with, maximizing your performance on exam day. You are looking for the best calculator to use on the FE exam that fits *your* needs while adhering to the rules.

Common misconceptions include believing any scientific calculator is allowed or that the most expensive approved calculator is automatically the best. In reality, familiarity and efficiency with a permitted model are far more important than raw features you might not use.

NCEES Calculator Policy and Approved Models

NCEES is very specific about which calculators are permitted during the FE exam. As of the latest NCEES Calculator Policy, the only models allowed are:

• Casio: All fx-115 and fx-991 models. Any Casio calculator must have “fx-115” or “fx-991” in its model name to be acceptable.
• Hewlett Packard: The HP 33s and HP 35s models are allowed, but no other HP models.
• Texas Instruments: All TI-30X and TI-36X models. Any Texas Instruments calculator must have “TI-30X” or “TI-36X” in its model name to be acceptable.

It is crucial to check the most current NCEES Calculator Policy on the official NCEES website before your exam, as policies can change. Using a non-approved calculator will result in its confiscation and possibly other penalties. Finding the best calculator to use on the FE exam starts with this approved list.

Recommendation Logic and Explanation

Our calculator selector tool doesn’t perform engineering calculations. Instead, it helps you identify the best calculator to use on the FE exam by scoring approved models based on your input. Here’s how it works:

1. Base Scores: We have assigned base scores (1-5) to the approved calculator series (Casio fx-115/991, TI-30X/36X, HP 33s/35s) for general battery life, ease of use, typical function set, and price range (inverted, so lower price gets a higher score related to “low price importance”).
2. Weighting: Your importance ratings (1-5) for battery, ease of use, functions, and price are used as weights. For example, if you rate “Ease of Use” as 5, the base ease of use score for each calculator gets multiplied by 5.
3. Familiarity Boost: If you indicate familiarity with a brand, the calculators from that brand get a score boost.
4. Discipline Adjustment (Minor): Some disciplines might have slightly more complex calculations, so the “functions” score gets a minor boost for those disciplines when you select one.
5. Total Score: The weighted scores and familiarity boost are summed up for each calculator model/series to get a total score.
6. Recommendation: The calculator with the highest total score is presented as the primary recommendation, along with a comparison table and chart of the top contenders.

The “formula” is essentially: Total Score = (BatteryScore * BatteryWeight) + (EaseScore * EaseWeight) + (FunctionScore * FunctionWeight * DisciplineFactor) + (PriceScore * PriceWeight) + FamiliarityBoost.

Variables used in the calculator recommendation logic.

Variable	Meaning	Source	Typical Range
BatteryScore, EaseScore, FunctionScore, PriceScore	Base rating of a calculator model on a factor	Pre-defined based on general knowledge	1-5
BatteryWeight, EaseWeight, FunctionWeight, PriceWeight	User’s importance rating for each factor	User Input	1-5
DisciplineFactor	Slight adjustment based on discipline	Pre-defined (e.g., 1 or 1.1)	1-1.1
FamiliarityBoost	Bonus points for brand familiarity	User Input + Pre-defined boost	0 or a fixed bonus

Practical Examples

Let’s see how the selector might guide different students looking for the best calculator to use on the FE exam:

Example 1: Budget-Conscious Student Familiar with TI

• Discipline: Other/General
• Battery Importance: 3
• Ease of Use Importance: 4
• Functions Importance: 3
• Price Importance: 5 (Very important)
• Familiarity: Texas Instruments (TI)

The tool would likely give a high score to the TI-30X or TI-36X series, especially models known for being more affordable while still being very capable. The familiarity boost for TI would further increase their scores. The HP models, often being more expensive, might score lower due to the high price importance.

Example 2: Electrical Engineering Student Prioritizing Functions

• Discipline: Electrical & Computer
• Battery Importance: 3
• Ease of Use Importance: 4
• Functions Importance: 5 (Very important)
• Price Importance: 2
• Familiarity: None

Here, the tool would weigh the built-in functions score more heavily, particularly looking at models within the approved list that are good for complex numbers, matrices, and equation solving (like the TI-36X Pro or some Casio fx-115/991 models). Price is less of a concern. The recommendation would lean towards a model with a robust feature set relevant to electrical engineering.

How to Use This Calculator Selector

1. Select Your Discipline: Choose the engineering discipline you are taking the FE exam in, or “Other/General” if not listed or unsure.
2. Rate Importance: Use the sliders to indicate how important battery life, ease of use, built-in functions, and low price are to you (1=Low, 5=High).
3. Indicate Familiarity: Select if you are already familiar with Casio, TI, or HP calculators.
4. View Results: The “Primary Result” will instantly show the top recommended calculator series. The table below will compare the top contenders based on your inputs.
5. Examine the Chart: The bar chart visually compares the top calculators across the different criteria based on your weights.
6. Reset if Needed: Click “Reset to Defaults” to start over with average preferences.
7. Copy Results: Use “Copy Results” to save the recommendation and comparison details.

When reading the results, consider the top 2-3 recommendations. Research these specific models (e.g., TI-36X Pro vs. Casio fx-115ES Plus) to see their exact features and user reviews before deciding on the absolute best calculator to use on the FE exam for you.

Key Factors That Affect Your Choice

When selecting the best calculator to use on the FE exam from the NCEES approved list, consider these factors:

• NCEES Approval: This is non-negotiable. Your chosen calculator MUST be on the current NCEES list.
• Your Discipline: Some disciplines (like Electrical) might benefit more from calculators with strong matrix and complex number functions (e.g., TI-36X Pro, Casio fx-991EX/fx-115ES Plus).
• Familiarity and Ease of Use: The exam is timed. You want a calculator you can operate quickly and accurately under pressure. If you’re already used to a brand, that’s a big plus. If not, pick one that seems intuitive to learn.
• Display Type: Some calculators have “natural textbook display” (Casio) or “MathPrint” (TI), showing fractions and equations as they appear in textbooks, which can reduce input errors. Others have more basic line displays.
• Power Source: Many are dual-powered (solar with battery backup), while some are battery only. Consider the exam environment and your preference.
• Built-in Functions: Look for functions relevant to your field: equation solvers, matrix operations, complex numbers, vector calculations, calculus functions (integration/differentiation), statistics, and unit conversions. The best calculator to use on the FE exam will have the functions you need most readily accessible.
• Price: Approved calculators range from around $15 to $50+. Decide on your budget. Often, a mid-range model like the TI-36X Pro or Casio fx-115ES Plus/fx-991EX offers the best value.
• Keystrokes and Layout: How do the keys feel? Is the layout logical to you? If possible, try out a few models before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is the NCEES calculator policy so strict?

A1: To ensure fairness and prevent any form of cheating or unfair advantage through calculators with communication capabilities, large storage, or pre-programmed illicit information.

Q2: Can I bring two approved calculators into the exam?

A2: Typically, yes, you can bring more than one approved calculator, but it’s best to check the latest NCEES examinee guide for the most up-to-date rules on backup calculators.

Q3: Is the TI-36X Pro the best calculator to use on the FE exam?

A3: The TI-36X Pro is very popular and highly rated for the FE exam due to its features and ease of use. However, the “best” is subjective and depends on your needs. Many find the Casio fx-115ES Plus or fx-991EX equally good or better.

Q4: What about the HP 35s?

A4: The HP 35s is a powerful RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) or algebraic calculator. If you are comfortable with RPN, it’s a strong contender. However, it has a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with RPN.

Q5: Where can I buy NCEES-approved calculators?

A5: They are widely available at office supply stores, electronics retailers, and online marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and Staples.

Q6: Do I need to clear the memory of my calculator before the exam?

A6: Yes, exam proctors will likely inspect your calculator and may require you to show that the memory is cleared before starting the exam.

Q7: Are graphing calculators allowed?

A7: No, graphing calculators (like the TI-83, TI-84, TI-89, TI-Nspire, HP Prime, Casio Prizm) are NOT allowed on the FE exam due to their extensive storage and programming capabilities.

Q8: Should I buy the most expensive approved calculator?

A8: Not necessarily. The best calculator to use on the FE exam for you is one that is approved, you are comfortable with, and has the functions you need. Mid-range models often provide the best value.