Calculators and Dictionaries Policy

Both the University and the College of Science and Engineering have exam policies to prevent unauthorised access to any material that could give an unfair advantage to a student taking an exam. Items that are not permitted include:

• Dictionaries
• Reference books and notes (unless the exam has specific 'open book' arrangements in place)
• Computers or laptops
• Calculators (unless specifically permitted for an exam, in which case ensure that your calculator will be authorised by meeting the 'authorised calculators' criteria below)
• Any calculators or watches that can store text 
• Mobile phones, PDAs, or other electronic devices

During examinations mobile phones must be switched off and should be left in your bag or coat pocket (the invigilators will indicate where you may leave your bags and coats during the exam). 

The following items are permitted in exam venues (and in fact you must bring some of them e.g. student card):

• You must bring your student card to each exam and display in on the desk
• Pens, pencils and any other stationery relevant for the specific exam being taken
• Authorised calculates (if permitted for the exam, see criteria for 'authorised calculators' below)
• Water bottle (no other types of drinks are allowed) but this must be placed under the chair
• Analogue watch (optional)

Some individual students may be permitted additional items in line with their Schedule of Adjustments (e.g. medical apparatus). 

Ensure that you have checked exactly what is required/permitted for each of the exams you are taking.

​​​​Students are advised to also consult the Exams website for further information on exam hall regulations. 

For some examinations you may use a calculator.  Invigilators may inspect calculators at any time during exams. In order to be authorised, your calculator must meet the following criteria:

• Must not be a graphical or programmable calculator
• Must not be able to store text or formulas
• Must not be able to communicate with other devices 

If the invigilators find that you have brought a calculator into an exam that does not permit calculators to be used, or that your calculator does not meet the above requirements, they are likely to confiscate the calculator (and allow you to collect it after the exam has finished).

It is each student's responsibility to ensure that they remember to bring their calculator to the exam, and that its batteries are in good working order. Invigilators cannot provide calculators, nor will they be able to help if the batteries fail. Spare calculators will not be available.

These are examples of calculators that meet the requirements:

• Casio fx991 (any version)
• Casio fx85 (any version)
• Casio fx83 (any version)
• Sharp EL-5 or ELW5 series (any version)
• Texas Instruments TI-3 series (any version)