Exam Approved Calculators

Know which calculators you can use in UNSW College exams.

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  • Some UNSW College exams require you to use a calculator. To ensure that all students adhere to the UNSW College Student Guide to Exams, College Assessment Policy and Academic Integrity Policy, only approved College calculators can be used in an exam. If you are found using a non-approved/unauthorised calculator you will be reported for a suspected breach of academic integrity.

  • Your calculator must be:

    • Hand-held.
    • Internally powered (battery or solar).
    • Non-programmable. This means that the calculator cannot store or execute custom user-written scripts or complex, multiple-step programs.
    • Silent operation (no sound features)
    • Equipped with a numeric keypad.

    Calculators must not:

    • Contain an alphanumeric keypad.
    • Include data banks, dictionaries or language translators.
    • Retrieve or manipulate text.
    • Have graphic display or sound.
    • Be capable of symbolic manipulation (e.g. equation solving).

    Important: Your calculator must have a tamper-proof “UNSW Approved” sticker. Without this sticker, you will not be permitted to complete an exam.

    Rules for use in exams
    • Only UNSW-approved calculators with a tamper-proof “UNSW Approved” label are allowed. This label can be obtained at Student Services located on Level 1 of the UNSW College L5 Building.
    • Calculators must be cleared of all memory.
    • Laptops or tablets cannot be used as calculators.
    • PDAs are not permitted.
  • Program / Course
    Calculator Requirement
    Provided for Exams?
    What this means for you

    Foundation Studies

    Casio FX82AU Plus

    Yes

    • The College Exams Team will provide you with this approved/authorised calculator for your exam.
    • You can also purchase your own Casio FX82AU Plus and use it during classes to practice.

    Diploma & Pre-Masters*

     

    *Other than Maths courses

    Any UNSW-approved calculator (stickered)

    No

    • Take your own UNSW-approved calculator to the L5 Building Level 1 Student Services Team to have your calculator approved. Once approved, you will receive your UNSW approved sticker.
    • Note. You must have your calculator approved prior to any quizzes/exams.

    Diploma Mathematics courses

    Casio FX82AU Plus

    Yes

    • The College Exams Team will provide you with this approved/authorised calculator for your exam.
    • You can also purchase your own Casio FX82AU Plus and use it during classes to practice.

    You can purchase a Casio FX82AU Plus calculator, which is approved for all courses, at the Student Services Desk located on Level 1 of the UNSW College L5 Building. The cost is $37.50 AUD (EFTPOS only), and your calculator will be approved immediately after purchase.

    To see the full list of UNSW-approved calculator models, see here*.

    *Please refer to the UNSW page only for the list of approved calculators. All other information and rules relating to calculators must be adhered according to this page for UNSW College students.
    • Visit the Student Services Team – UNSW College L5 Building, Level 1.
    • A staff member from the Student Services Team will assess your calculator and if your calculator is a UNSW approved calculator, you will receive an official UNSW Approved sticker. 
    • Note: Only UNSW Approved stickered calculators will be allowed for exams. 

    Recommendation: You are advised to have your calculator assessed one (1) week prior to your scheduled exam. If you leave the assessment until exam day, we cannot assure you that your calculator will be approved in time for your exam.

  • If you have any questions, contact the UNSW College Student Services Team:

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UNSW College delivers its Foundation Studies, Academic English, Diplomas, and Pre-Masters Program, under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K; TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).

UNSW College delivers its Applied Degrees under TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).

UNSW College also delivers UNSW Diplomas on behalf of UNSW Sydney under CRICOS Provider Code 00098G; UNSW Sydney TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12055 (Australian University).

See unswcollege.edu.au/esos for more information.

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