NCEES recently approved the calculator models that can be used during NCEES computer-based and pencil-and paper exam administrations in 2017. The models approved for last year remain on the list, but a new model has been added: Casio fx-991. Casio: All fx-115 and fx-991 models (Any Casio calculator must have “fx-115” or “fx-991” in its model. Calculator policy. To protect the integrity of its exams, NCEES limits the types of calculators you may bring to the exams. The only calculator models acceptable for use during the 2014 exams are as follows. Casio: All fx-115 models. Any Casio calculator must contain fx-115 in its model name.
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You will want to choose wisely when it comes to selecting a calculator for the PE exam. The final four in this tournament of scientific calculators were these:
- Hewlett Packard's HP 35s
- Casio's fx-115 ES Plus
- Texas Instrument's TI-30XS Multiview
- Texas Instrument's TI-36X Pro
The factors considered and the reasoning behind my final choice are fairly solid. I personally prefer the style and feel of one of the other four. But, my overall recommendation for PE examinees is the TI-36X Pro.
My Number One Reason for Choosing the TI 36X Pro
The primary reason for choosing this model over the other contenders is the availability of free instructional video for the TI 36X Pro.
The reasoning is this: You can have the best functionality in the world available at your fingertips; however if you do not know how to use its capabilities, you are at a disadvantage. Each calculator is unique: even models in the same series or brand line differ from predecessors in important ways.
Instruction on the model you will use is a valuable plus in choosing the best engineering calculator for the PE exam.
My Choice for the PE Exam
My own first choice, based on personal preference, is the Casio fx-115 ES Plus.
I prefer the satin metal finish. The two orange keys break up the visual field and provide a reference point for locating function keys. For engineers and exam takers, looking left and right to papers and then to calculator, quickly locating the desired keys on the calculator is a requirement.
The fx-115 ES Plus has a menu similar to the TI 36X Pro, which TI developed in order to compete with Casio's fx-115 line of scientific calculators.
One important caveat: This Casio is of light-weight construction, like a TI. On even ground against the TI in this regard, it yields some comparative favor to the HPs, which are heavier, and to the fx-115W, which is heavy. Additionally, HPs and the fx-115W both are very sturdy. The 115W is flat so it doesn't move around when the keys are furiously mashed and pecked during timed exams. But, the fx-115 ES Plus has 4 small protuberances, one near each corner. This makes it less stable- especially when working on top of a collection of books and papers.
For California examinees, the degree-minute-second key will come in handy on the Civil Surveying Exam.
Casio Advanced Scientific Calculator with 2-Line Natural Textbook Display (FX-115ES)I bought a Casio fx-115W S-V.A.P.M. for the FE, and also used it on the PE exam. I still use it daily in my engineering business. The ES-Plus is the top model, currently.
Another Reason to Recommend the TI 36X Pro as the Best Calculator for the PE Exam
Most recent engineering graduates are familiar with TI-89's and TI-90's. They are comfortable with the navigational functionality of TI's menus.
Because they already know it, most examinees will have an accelerated learning curve to adapt from a TI-89 to a TI-36X Pro. This means hours saved to work problems.
If not for the availability of both free and pay for use instructional video to augment the TI-36X Pro, and the familiarity many have with TI functionality, I would recommend the fx-115 ES Plus.
In many other ways, the two models are similar. But, the TI 36X Pro seems to the best engineering calculator for the 2015 NCEES PE exams (from what is available from Texas Instruments and allowed in the exam room.)
Best Texas Instruments Scientific Calculator for the PE Exam?
There are two obvious top choices. Which of the two best do you prefer for the exam?
Help an Engineer Out..
If you prefer 'another model,' please post a comment at the bottom of this article. Share with others the model and the advantages it delivers. Thank you!
Texas Instruments TI-30XS Multiview vs TI-36X Pro
The primary advantage of the TI-30XS Multiview is integrated into the model's name- it has 4 lines of display. You can scroll through previous entries, see the equation you input, and modify data to derive new answers. It is a CAS calculator, solves derivatives, and solves calculus problems (with definite results).
The TI-36XS Pro does all those things, even the 4 lines of visual text on the display.
The TI-36X Pro is a kind of hybrid TI-30XS meets fx-115. The offspring is not a monster, though. It is an excellent tool and my recommendation over all other TI models on the NCEES list of permitted calculators.
TI-36X Pro vs HP 35s
The primary difference between these two calculators is the mode of entry. HP is, of course, a Reverse Polish Notation entry calculator. I learned calculators on my father's HP collection, so, this is very natural to me.
Years of surveying and using an HP-48, and my HP-38 in college have taught me RPN like second nature. I now use a Casio desk calculator (an fx-115), and there are some advantages to using an RPN.
Something I like about HP calculators is their attention to the detail of feel. The best factor, of course, is the diverse functionality available in the HP 35s.
On Amazon, after hundreds of reviews, the TI-36X has 4.6 of 5 stars. The HP 35s has a 4.1 score out of 5. Though we can't determine exactly what makes the average TI review 10% higher than the average rating for HP, we can understand that the TI-36X Pro has a distinct edge over the HP 35s.
Further Resources
- PE Exam Materials - Pass the PE like a Pro
If you found this discussion of NCEES approved calculators valuable, read many more similar discussions compiled into this book. A valuable tool for engineering examinees. - Professional Engineer's Exam- Tips and Resources: 300-Hour PE Exam Study Plan
A plan to study 300 hours in either 4 or 5 months in order to prepare for the Principles and Practice exam for professional engineering licensure.
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
© 2013 Steel Engineer
- The HP 33 and 35 are both programmable and the programs are very simple to write and solve multiple problems in multiple ways for when the PE exam has a problem you can program the calculator to solve it no matter how they ask the question.In order to solve most all engineering PE exam problems they must give you 2 pieces of the problem and in most cases there will be some know variable as well. By writing the program to utilize the numbers provided and use any required variables. The problem can be solved multiple ways.I have written programs for the geometric design portions, hydolrology, hydraulics, and multiple transportation problem areas as well as a couple of others.The programs actually ask you for the information that is required to solve a given problem, all you do is provide the info requested and the program runs automatically, giving out several different pieces of data, ie. flow in cfs, wetted perimeter, channel flows, frouid numbers. Jumps, verticals curves and station, horizontal curves. They can be found at resincva.com for review
- The 401k Calculator is also use for the calculation of the retirement amount at the end of the services of job. This calculator can be very beneficial for you because it calculate the secure amount of retirement which is tax free. https://calculatorservice.com/work/401k-calculator..
- The price, features and algebraic entry that is identical to Ti's graphics calculators makes the Ti-36 pro a more popular and wise choice for the majority of PE and other calculator users who are not allowed a graphing calculator. It has ALL the functions and features of the Hp 35s aside from an RPN mode and real programming. Eleni foureira biography. It makes up for this with a $20 price and a damn good solver that can function as a poor man's programming tool..Advantages of the Hp 35s are that it IS programmable, not just a solver and a dual entry RPN or algebraic entry selection. The keyboard is designed for an RPN user though ie awkward to use this as an algebraic calculator. At $50 it is over 2x the cost of the Ti-36 pro.
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For those of you planning to take the EIT or PE exam this year 2012, make sure you look at our Guide for Engineers for useful tips on studying and passing the FE exam as well as helpful information pertaining PE exam. Also note that as of the December 2011 edition of Licensure Exchange (volume 15, issue 6, page 11) NCEES has approved the following list of calculators for use in the April and October 2012 exam administrations:
- Casio: All fx-115 models. Any Casio calculator must contain fx-115 in its model name.
- Hewlett-Packard: The HP 33s and HP 35s models, but no others
- Texas Instruments: All TI-30X and TI-36X models. Any Texas Instruments calculator must contain either TI-30X or TI-36X in its model name.
Calculators not listed above will not be permitted in the exam room. According to NCEES, Examinees possessing unapproved calculators during the administration of an exam are subject to dismissal from the exam site.
Click here for a complete list of calculators available through Amazon.
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To purchase a specific calculator, simple click on the buy button below each calculator.
Casio
Casio FX-115MS Plus Scientific Calculator |
Hewlett Packard
HP 33S Scientific Calculator (F2216A) – BUY | HP 35s Scientific Calculator – BUY | Essential Equations for the FE Exam Using the Hp 33s |
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator – BUY | Texas Instruments TI36X Solar Scientific Calculator – BUY |
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