Before buying or packing a calculator for a PSLE or GCE examination, check two things. Your exact model must appear on the applicable SEAB approved list, and the paper you are sitting must permit calculator use. Start with the model printed on the physical device and the instructions for your examination year.
For standard PSLE Mathematics in the 2026 examination format, Paper 1 does not allow calculators and Paper 2 does. If the student takes Foundation Mathematics or a different examination, open the format or syllabus for that exact subject and paper.
- Read the full model code printed on the calculator.
- Compare the complete code against the current approved list.
- Check the exact subject and paper for calculator permission.
- Practise with the approved device before the examination.
Check the model on the calculator itself
Look for the full manufacturer and model identifier on the device. Some calculators display a product family prominently and place a more specific model code in smaller print. Use the complete code, including any letters or numbers at the end, when comparing it with the official list.
When shopping online, ask for the model printed on the device or packaging if the listing uses a shortened title. If the product arrives and the printed code differs from the order, check the actual device again before relying on it for an exam.
A calculator inherited from a sibling or bought second-hand needs the same check. A previous student may have sat a different exam year or used a closely related version. Keep the examination year and the device details beside each other when checking.
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Use the official list for your exam
SEAB’s Approved Calculators page points to the published list for PSLE and the GCE N(T)-, N(A)-, O- and A-Level examinations. Read the headings and any notes in the current list so you can tell which approvals apply to the exam you are taking.
Suppose a shop has two calculators with nearly identical names. The child has practised with the first version, while the family is considering a second version with a suffix. Match the code on each device separately against the applicable list. If the model is unclear, ask the school or official examination contact before depending on it.
Keep a simple record for yourself. Write the device model, exam, year and where you confirmed it. This makes it easy to repeat the check if a calculator needs replacing or a teacher issues a revised equipment reminder.
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Check whether the paper allows a calculator
An approved model answers the equipment question. The paper instructions answer when you can use it. In the 2026 standard PSLE Mathematics format, the two papers illustrate this distinction clearly. The first is taken without a calculator. Calculator use is permitted in the second.
For a GCE subject, check the syllabus and instructions for your specific component. The permitted equipment can depend on what the paper assesses. A student who uses the same device for two subjects should check both sets of instructions.
For SEC, use the instructions and equipment guidance for the SEC examination year and paper. The scope of a list labelled for PSLE and GCE examinations should be read as published. Ask your school or SEAB when the current SEC rules or list leave you unsure.
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Practise both calculator and non-calculator work
For a paper that allows a calculator, rehearse on the device you intend to use. Try a short set of calculations where you already know a reasonable estimate. Practise entering brackets, checking fractions and reading the display. The point is to catch a wrong key or setting before the answer goes onto the page.
For instance, before calculating 19.8 × 4.9, estimate it as about 20 × 5, or about 100. If the display shows a result near 10 or 1,000, review the input. The quick estimate protects against a misplaced decimal even when the calculator itself is working.
For a non-calculator paper, practise without the device under paper-like conditions. Choose a few questions that require written working and a rough check. A clear estimation habit transfers across both types of paper.
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What to do if the device fails or the model is unclear
Check that the device powers on and responds well before exam day. If you need a replacement, verify that model and practise with it. Use the current candidate instructions for equipment and for whether spare devices are permitted.
If a problem occurs during the paper, alert the invigilator and follow the instructions given. Before the exam, ask the school or relevant candidate contact if you are unsure whether a replacement model is allowed.
Parents can help by running the equipment check once with the student. Ask the student to show the full model number, find it on the list and explain which paper allows it. The student then knows how to repeat the check independently.
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Frequently asked questions
Is a shop label saying “exam approved” enough?
Verify the device against the current SEAB list for the applicable examination. Check the exact model and the instructions for the paper.
Can I use an approved calculator in PSLE Mathematics Paper 1?
The 2026 standard PSLE Mathematics format prohibits calculators in Paper 1 and permits them in Paper 2. Use the format for your year and subject.
Can I assume a newer model is covered because its name is similar?
Compare the complete model identifier against the list. If there is ambiguity, confirm it with the school or official candidate contact.
Does the list also tell me which dictionaries I may bring?
SEAB provides calculator and dictionary lists separately. Use the applicable equipment instructions for your paper.
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Official information and next reading
Consult SEAB’s Approved Calculators guidance, the assessment format for your subject and examination year, and the current candidate instructions. Guidance checked on 8 November 2026.
GCE private candidates can also use the entry proof guide to check their paper, venue and reporting instructions.