Getting the most out of your Casio scientific calculator

If you’re at school or college in the UK then the chances are that your school recommends you buy a Casio scientific calculator. This course is to help you get maximum benefit out of your calculator’s capabilities.

The course assumes that you already know how to use the basic arithmetic functions of your calculator – it’s more about the clever stuff that you might not have known it can do, and that comes in handy for GCSE and A-level (or equivalent qualifications such as Scottish Nationals).

The course covers five calculator models:

• The old one (commonly used for GCSE and the pre-2017 A-level spec): Casio fx-83 GT Plus or fx-85 GT Plus – the only difference is that the 85 has a solar panel as well as battery power
• The Classwiz “X” models (standard since 2016/17 but now – unfortunately – discontinued): the Casio Classwiz fx-83/85 GTX for GCSE and fx-991EX for A-level
• The Classwiz “CW” models (which replaced the “X” models in 2023): fx-83/85 GT CW and fx-991CW

Click on the Curriculum tab (look for the three-line “hamburger” icon above) to see what skills the course covers. The introductory lesson is accessible without enrolling so you can watch that too.

If you mark each lesson as complete once you’ve watched the video (look for the green button at the bottom) then you can download a completion certificate once you’ve done them all. But don’t worry, you can come back and revisit lessons at any time, whether you’ve marked them as complete or not; if you’ve purchased a course enrolment then it won’t expire.

You can, of course, also buy own-brand calculators at a lower price, and these are quite adequate for GCSE (though not for A-level), but most of those are based on an older Casio model than the ones featured on this course. So they’ll have some, but not all, of the capabilities demonstrated here. In most cases the examples shown for the GT Plus will be the closest.

For A-level, some institutions will require you to buy a graphical calculator. These have their advantages but are more expensive and more complex to use; if your budget can stretch to it then it’s a good idea to have a scientific calculator too. (You are allowed to take more than one calculator into an exam.)

A warning: Watch out for counterfeit “Classwiz” calculators. Fake ones often give wrong answers! You can usually check whether yours is genuine by accessing the QR code in the Settings. This video shows you how to check an fx-991EX for authenticity. On the CW models, press HOME and then SETTINGS then scan the QR code.

For more information on the different calculators and their suitability for exams, take a look at these blog posts:
Clueless about calculators? Get more clarity here!
The new Casio Classwiz CW calculators