Getting ready for exam success with the fx-CG100

From solving equations to visualising graphs, the fx-CG100 offers many practical ways to work more efficiently in A-level maths exams.

In this blog, we explore how students can use the calculator effectively and share some simple steps to ensure the handset is properly set up for exams.

Getting the fx-CG100 exam-ready

A small amount of preparation can make a big difference to how confidently students use the fx-CG100 in exams.

One key step is activating Exam Mode. On the fx-CG100, this is straightforward, with a dedicated Exam Mode app available directly from the home screen. Once activated, the handset restarts and shows a clear magenta border around the display, making it easy for students and invigilators to see that the calculator meets exam requirements.

Students should be comfortable with this process so they can enable it quickly and without hesitation on the day.

It’s also important that students are familiar with the fx-CG100’s key settings and navigation options. For example, when graphing, they should know how to use the View Window pop-up to adjust their display parameters and see their results clearly.

Similarly, being able to access the Settings menu to complete quick tasks like switching between degrees and radians can avoid confusion and incorrect answers.

Small checks and good habits like these will help ensure the fx-CG100 supports students effectively under exam conditions.

Quick and confident navigation

The fx-CG100’s functions are arranged in a logical menu structure that most users should find straightforward to navigate. Key functionality is clearly organised and easy to locate, which matters in an exam when students need to find what they need quickly and without distraction.

Some navigation details are worth pointing out specifically. When using the Graph&Table app, for example, left and right tab keys allow instant switching between the function editor, graph view and tables of values.

Highlighting shortcuts like these during lessons and revision means they should be second nature by the time students sit down to start their A-level maths papers.

Key functionality for exam performance

SolveN

This is a useful tool whenever a question involves finding multiple solutions to an equation. Rather than relying solely on algebraic methods, students can use SolveN to quickly verify their answers or check they haven’t missed a solution, making it a simple but effective safeguard.

Graphing functionality

Drawing and analysing graphs has several practical applications at A-level.

Students can graph two functions simultaneously to locate their intersection points, helping cross-check algebraic solutions. In trigonometry, plotting a function and a horizontal line makes it easy to see how many solutions exist within a given interval, which is a useful check when answering questions about the number of solutions.

For integration questions, shading the area under a curve can help confirm which region a question is asking about before committing to a calculation.

Distribution

This app allows students to visually explore probability distributions, including normal and binomial distributions. Being able to see the shape of a distribution – and adjust its parameters – can help with interpreting questions clearly and verifying that their calculated probabilities are on the right lines.

Making it count on the day

The features outlined above can only work in students’ favour if they’re already comfortable using them before the exam. Familiarity with an advanced device like the fx-CG100 builds gradually through regular use in lessons, homework and revision.

Encouraging students to reach for the handset as a matter of habit, rather than saving it for assessments, is the most effective way to ensure they can use it fluently when it matters. We have a library of resources dedicated to the fx-CG100 – including video guides to operations such as plotting modulus functions and solving simultaneous equations numerically – to help you and your students build familiarity and confidence with the calculator.