The approved calculator (CAS or scientific) does more than arithmetic. Students who know its features pick up marks in the last 10 minutes of the exam.
Storing formulas
Most CAS calculators let you store expressions. Pre-load the ones you always forget under a key. Don't waste exam brain recalling them.
Solving equations
Instead of rearranging by hand and making sign errors, use the solve function to check your algebraic answer. If they disagree, your algebra is wrong. Fix it.
Statistics mode
For the stats questions, enter the data set once and pull mean, median, standard deviation, and quartiles. Doing this by hand is where careless errors creep in.
Graphing to check
Sketch the derivative or the function on screen. Does the stationary point match your algebra? A 5-second graph check catches sign errors that cost the whole question.
The trap
Calculators fail under pressure if you've never used the feature in exam conditions. Practise every trick timed. Our study system guide covers building this into routine.
Get graded practice that tells you when the calculator would've saved you: join the beta.