Calculator guide for A Level Maths
Every calculator skill the exam expects, one page each: the exact keystrokes for the Casio ClassWiz (fx-991EX and fx-991CW), then the fx-CG50, TI-84 Plus CE, TI-Nspire CX II, a worked example, the mistakes that cost marks, and the same idea in Desmos.
Test yourself: 5 quick questions → No sign-in needed
Algebra and graphs
- Solving equationsPolynomial roots, simultaneous linear equations and any equation f(x) = g(x) with the numerical solver.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Graphs: intersections, zeros, max and minDraw a graph, then read off roots, turning points and where two curves meet with G-Solve / CALC / Analyze Graph.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Sequences and sumsΣ for arithmetic and geometric sums, lists of terms, and the recursion/table mode for the nth term.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Tables of valuesFill in "complete the table" questions in seconds and spot sign changes for roots.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Quadratic graphs: roots and vertexSolve ax² + bx + c = 0 and find the turning point (vertex) of y = ax² + bx + c, to check factorising, the formula or completing the square.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Trig graphs and angle modeGraph y = a sin(bx) + d in the right angle mode, read off the maximum, minimum and period, and solve trig equations in an interval.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Calculus
- Numerical derivative and integralThe gradient at a point with d/dx and a definite integral with ∫dx, plus areas between curves.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Trapezium ruleGet the y-values from a table of values, put them into the trapezium rule without rounding, and check the answer against the calculator's integral.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Statistics
- RegressionLeast-squares lines and curves: linear, exponential, power, quadratic, cubic, sinusoidal and logistic models.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Correlation r and Spearman's rankPearson's product-moment correlation coefficient and Spearman's rank coefficient (by ranking, then r).fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- 1-variable and 2-variable statisticsMean, standard deviation, quartiles and sums from a list or a frequency table.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- t-tests and χ² testsTwo-sample t-test (pooled), χ² test for independence from a contingency table and χ² goodness of fit.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Confidence intervalst and z confidence intervals for a population mean, from a list of data or from summary statistics.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Probability
- Normal distributionP(a < X < b) with normal cdf, and the value for a given probability with inverse normal, including finding σ or μ.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Binomial and Poisson distributionsP(X = r) and P(X ≤ r) for B(n, p) and Po(λ), and how to turn ≥, > and "between" into what the calculator does.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Further topics
- MatricesEnter a matrix, then the determinant, inverse, powers and (on the TI-Nspire) eigenvalues.fx-991EXfx-991CWfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- Complex numbersArithmetic with i, the modulus and argument, and converting between Cartesian and polar/exponential form.fx-991EXfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
- VectorsMagnitude, scalar (dot) product, vector (cross) product and the angle between two vectors.fx-991EXfx-CG50TI-84 Plus CETI-Nspire CX II
Try it now
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5 quick questions from across A Level Maths. No sign-in needed.
Before every exam
- Angle mode. Radians for calculus and most trig graphs; degrees for bearings and triangle questions. It is the most common way to lose marks on a calculator: how to check and change it.
- Clear old data. Old lists, frequency settings and matrices silently change statistics answers. Delete them before each question that uses the lists.
- Answer memory. Ans (and stored values like A, B) keep full accuracy: use them instead of retyping rounded numbers. Round only the final answer (3 s.f. unless told otherwise).
- Exact vs decimal. S⇔D switches an answer between fraction and decimal on the fx-991EX and fx-CG50; the key on other calculators. Give exact answers when the question asks for them.
- Table mode. A quick table of values is the fastest way to sketch a graph or find where a root lies.
- Exam mode or reset. Your school may put your calculator into exam mode (Examination Mode, Press-to-Test) or ask you to reset it. Practise it once so nothing surprises you: exam mode step by step, how to reset.
What you're allowed in the exam
UK A Level (Edexcel 9MA0, AQA 7357, OCR H240) and Edexcel IAL allow any scientific or graphic calculator that does not do symbolic algebra (CAS) and has no wireless or internet link (JCQ rules). The fx-CG50, fx-991EX, fx-991CW, TI-84 Plus CE and TI-Nspire CX II (non-CAS) are all fine. A calculator is allowed in every Edexcel IAL unit, P1 (WMA11) included.
Which calculator for A Level Maths?
TL;DR: a Casio fx-CG50 (graphic) or a Casio ClassWiz (fx-991EX or the newer fx-991CW, scientific) for UK A Level; the same, or a TI-Nspire CX II (non-CAS), for Edexcel IAL. Any of these can get every mark on every recent paper. Do not buy a CAS calculator: they are not allowed in the exam.
- UK A Level (Edexcel 9MA0, AQA 7357, OCR H240): all three papers allow a calculator. Any scientific or graphic calculator without symbolic algebra (CAS) or a wireless link: the fx-991EX, fx-991CW and fx-CG50 all qualify.
- Edexcel IAL: the same rules. A calculator is allowed in every IAL unit, P1 (WMA11) included.
- Not allowed: anything labelled CAS (TI-Nspire CX II CAS, TI-89, Casio ClassPad fx-CP400) or with a QWERTY keyboard.
The fx-CG50 needs 4 AAA batteries: take spares. The ClassWiz models are solar with a battery backup.
For teachers
Every guide has a Show on the board view (big type, just the steps for the calculator you pick) and a printable one-page keystroke card with a QR code back to the guide. Tick the calculators your class uses on the class page (Settings tab), and your students' guides open on that calculator. For a suggested order by course, see Teaching GDC skills.
What about Desmos?
Desmos is not allowed in A Level exams. Use it to learn, to check a calculator answer, and to see what a function or data set looks like. Every guide ends with a "Do it in Desmos" section: the steps, and exactly what to type into the free desmos.com/calculator .
Questions
Is a calculator allowed in the exam?
UK A Level (Edexcel 9MA0, AQA 7357, OCR H240) and Edexcel IAL allow any scientific or graphic calculator that does not do symbolic algebra (CAS) and has no wireless or internet link (JCQ rules). The fx-CG50, fx-991EX, fx-991CW, TI-84 Plus CE and TI-Nspire CX II (non-CAS) are all fine. A calculator is allowed in every Edexcel IAL unit, P1 (WMA11) included.
Which calculators do these guides cover?
Every guide has the keystrokes for: Casio fx-991EX ClassWiz (the fixed ROM) · Casio fx-991CW ClassWiz (the fixed ROM) · Casio fx-CG50 (OS 3.80) · TI-84 Plus CE (OS 5.8.x) · TI-Nspire CX II (OS 6.x). Each one ends with the same idea in Desmos, so you can check an answer.
What should I set before the exam?
Check the angle mode (radians or degrees), clear old list data, use Ans and stored values instead of retyping rounded numbers, and practise once in exam mode so nothing surprises you on the day.
What else is free here
- A Level Maths topicsEach topic explained, with a worked example and practice questions.
- Past papers and mark schemesLinks to the boards' own papers, with a timer and topic practice.
- IAL revision notesOne page per topic across P1 to P4, S1 and M1.
- Formula sheets (PDF)Edexcel, AQA, OCR and IAL on one page each, showing what each board's booklet gives you.
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Sources
- Casio fx-991EX / fx-570EX Quick Start Guides (the fixed ROM (these models take no OS updates))
- Casio fx-991CW / fx-570CW User's Guide (the fixed ROM (these models take no OS updates))
- Casio fx-CG50 Software User's Guide, OS 3.70 (PDF) (OS 3.80 (menus unchanged from OS 3.60 onwards as far as we can tell))
- TI-84 Plus CE guidebook (Texas Instruments) (OS 5.8.x)
- TI-Nspire CX II guidebooks (Texas Instruments) (OS 6.x)
- Desmos Help Center
Keystrokes follow the manufacturers' manuals for the OS versions shown and were cross-checked against published teaching guides. Where a manual was ambiguous we say so on the page instead of guessing.