How To Choose The Best Scientific Calculator

Scientific calculators are effective tools to support your learning and understanding of key topics in maths and other subjects throughout your secondary school education.

They can show mathematical expressions like roots and fractions as you're used to seeing them in your textbooks, display tables of values, calculate single-variable and regression statistics, and much more.

Owning a scientific calculator and knowing how to use it efficiently opens up new ways of tackling difficult problems and enables quicker and more efficient working.

Perhaps most importantly of all, these devices can be used in exams, where it's essential to check your work for accuracy and avoid simple errors.

How to choose the best scientific calculator

Our recommendation of the best scientific calculator for studying maths from year 7 to 9 is the Casio fx-83GT CW. This is the best-selling scientific calculator in the UK.

The fx-85GT CW offers the same functionality as the fx-83GT CW, but with the option of solar power with a battery backup.

These calculators are also powerful enough to be used at GCSE level.

If you're studying Further Maths at GCSE or planning to continue to A-level, however, we recommend using the fx-991CW, our most advanced scientific calculator in terms of functionality.

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Scientific calculators FAQs

What is the best scientific calculator?

The most advanced and powerful scientific calculator in the Casio range is the fx-991CW. The functions that set this handset apart include its ability to approximate the solutions to equations and perform calculations with complex numbers, vectors and matrices.

Which calculators are allowed in GCSE exams?

All Casio calculator models - scientific and graphic - are permitted in UK school exams where calculator use is allowed.

You can find more information, including FAQs on calculator use from the Joint Council for Qualifications, on the Casio Education website.

Is it worth buying a scientific calculator?

Scientific calculators are a worthwhile investment owing to the benefits they provide, which include:

● Strengthening understanding of difficult topics
● Improving accuracy and reducing the risk of errors
● Enabling quicker and more efficient working in exams
● Checking work

But you don't have to take our word for it. We're always asking schools, teachers and students for their views on scientific calculators and how they make the best use of their devices.

How do I choose a scientific calculator?

Use the comparison tool to view the features and functions of our scientific calculators alongside each other. This will give you a clear idea of what each handset can do and how they differ from each other.

You can also read our guide comparing the best scientific calculator options on the Casio Education website.