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Scientific calculators: features, models and buying guide
We take a close look at the best scientific calculators for students. Explore key features, classroom uses and why an approved model matters for exams.
Scientific calculators are essential tools for students throughout their secondary school education. From solving equations to performing statistical analysis, a scientific calculator offers the advanced functionality needed to tackle complex maths and science problems.
In this guide, we’ll explore what scientific calculators do, how to choose the right one for your needs and why Casio’s ClassWiz range remains the most trusted choice in classrooms across the UK.
What are the benefits of a scientific calculator?
Scientific calculators offer a wide range of functions to support teaching and learning in secondary maths, from basic calculations to more advanced operations.
Entry-level models such as the fx-83GT CW and fx-85GT CW include trigonometric and exponential functions, as well as statistical tools to calculate mean, standard deviation and more.
An advanced scientific calculator like the fx-991CW takes things further, enabling students to explore and solve linear, quadratic and simultaneous equations.
It also has a Distribution app that supports normal and binomial probability distributions.
To explore the applications of our scientific calculators in more depth, visit our resources centre, where you’ll find free worksheets, video walkthroughs and other support materials.
Getting the most from a scientific calculator
As far as classroom applications of these devices are concerned, there are all sorts of ways to use scientific calculators. Teachers can use them to model equation problems and ask students to find the solution, for example, or provide an introduction to statistics and probability distributions using the fx-991CW.
We’ve created a detailed introduction to how to use a scientific calculator, which covers some of the core functionality of our ClassWiz models.
As far as everyday habits are concerned, encouraging regular use of calculators in lessons helps students build familiarity and confidence, both of which are essential when using them under exam conditions.
Keeping a device to hand also allows teachers to respond to spontaneous questions and demonstrate key functions as they arise.
We would also recommend taking advantage of ClassPad, our online virtual learning environment. The platform is entirely web-based, meaning you can access it from anywhere with an internet connection, and features calculator emulators, graphing functions, shape-drawing tools and more.
Choosing a scientific calculator
Making a decision about what is the best scientific calculator for GCSE comes down to understanding the differences between handsets and which models are better-suited to particular learning goals and levels.
Here’s a high-level comparison of the calculators in the ClassWiz scientific range:
Go advanced
The Casio fx-991EX is Casio’s most advanced scientific calculator. Part of the ClassWiz range – features include calculus, probability distributions, equation solvers, matrices and vectors, and spreadsheets.
Not all scientific calculators are created equal
ClassWiz technology in the fx-85GTX significantly importunes ease of use. The high resolution menu-driven display is crisp, with scrolling results and tables.
fx-83/85GT CW – entry-level simplicity
The fx-83GT CW and fx-85GT CW provide all the functionality required to support learning and understanding of key stage 3 maths, including:
• Arithmetic and fraction calculations
• Highest common factor and lowest common multiple
• Number tables
• Viewing inequalities on a number line
• Calculating equivalent ratios
• Running probability simulations with coins and dice
• Evaluating powers and roots
fx-991CW – our most advanced scientific calculator
GCSE maths students sitting higher papers and planning to progress to A-level would benefit from the more advanced functionality of the fx-991CW.
This handset features all the essentials required on a scientific calculator, plus:
• Equation and inequality solvers
• Probability distributions
• Complex numbers
• Matrices
• Vectors
Improved Casio ClassWiz features
The fx-83GT CW, fx-85GT CW and fx-991CW make up the Casio ClassWiz scientific range, which has recently benefited from a significant upgrade.
This has delivered improvements including:
• A more intuitive menu structure
• New Home, Back and OK keys for easier navigation
• A new Function key, allowing input and manipulation of f(x) and g(x) to recall saved equation data
Why scientific calculators matter in the digital age
In a world where students have easy access to apps, websites and smart devices, scientific calculators remain an essential tool.
The reason for this is simply that – unlike mobile phones or internet-connected devices – students using approved scientific calculators for exams can take their handset into the examination hall with them.
In fact, a calculator should be considered an essential requirement for every candidate in the two out of three GCSE maths papers that allow calculators and all A-level maths papers.
What’s more, using a dedicated calculator throughout their studies helps students build the confidence and fluency they’ll need under timed conditions, reinforcing good habits and giving them a genuine advantage when it counts.
Resources
You can also find free resources covering specific functions and operations of Casio’s scientific calculators in our online resources centre.
Emulators
Teachers can request a free licence for use in classrooms, remote and blended learning (available in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Ireland).
Comparison Chart
There are two main types of calculator: scientific and graphic. A scientific calculator can only be used for calculation. A graphic calculator makes calculations, shows surds as exact answers and displays graphs.
Scientific calculator vs graphic calculator: which do you need?
Scientific calculators provide all the calculation functionality and operations students require to study maths and sit their exams up to GCSE level.
These handsets don’t display graphs on-screen, although our current ClassWiz scientific calculators do have the ability to generate QR codes from functions, which can be scanned on a smart device to produce a graph.
Graphic calculators allow students to draw and analyse graphs of various functions, as well as offering advanced functionality such as equation solving (with the ability to present multiple solutions as exact values) and visualisation of probability distributions.
Our newest and most advanced graphic calculator approved for UK exams is the fx-CG100. This handset has a high-resolution colour display and a menu-based navigation system consistent with the wider ClassWiz range, enabling an easier transition from scientific to graphic calculator technology.
Find the right scientific calculator for you
We provide supported pricing to UK schools and educational institutions on all of our graphic and scientific calculators.
Parents looking to purchase a scientific calculator for their child can browse through our available models and place an order online.