eduKate Singapore

VIEW THIS AS

Auto mode follows the Route Engine until you choose a viewpoint.

YOU ARE HERE

ROUTE CHECK

CONNECTED TO

WHAT NEXT

Use the canonical route for this room, or HELP if you are unsure.

Next useful routeCanonical hubHELP

How G3 G2 G1 Works | Which Calculator and Dictionary Are Allowed in SEC Examinations?

—

by

eduKate Asia

Quick answer (10 November 2026). Do not assume that a calculator or dictionary is allowed simply because it was used in a previous school test, another subject or an earlier GCE examination. Check the exact approved model or edition, the relevant subject and paper instructions, and the latest SEAB guidance for the 2027 SEC. If the current approved list is labelled for GCE examinations rather than SEC, ask the school or SEAB to confirm how it applies to the SEC paper you will sit.

This matters because a small difference in a calculator model can affect whether it meets examination requirements. A dictionary may also be permitted only under specific conditions. A familiar device, a phone app or an online dictionary is not automatically an authorised examination aid.

The SEC starts in 2027, with subjects offered at G1, G2 and G3. SEAB has published its SEC subject syllabuses and a separate page for calculators and dictionaries. The SEC overview states that assessment modes and overall standards follow the corresponding former N(T), N(A) and O-Level examinations. But candidates should still follow the current SEC-specific instructions as they are published and communicated to schools.

Find what you need

1. Why “calculator allowed” is not enough information

A student may say, “My teacher lets us use this calculator.” That tells us what is permitted in a particular classroom activity, not necessarily what is permitted in a national examination. Examination rules may specify approved models or types, and the permitted aid may depend on the subject paper.

For example, two calculators can have similar screens and ordinary arithmetic functions but different model names or features. A student should not assume that approval for one model automatically covers another in the same product family. Confirm the model number printed on the device.

The same principle applies to dictionaries. A student may use a dictionary in one learning activity, but a particular examination paper may restrict whether a dictionary is allowed, which kinds are permitted, or how the book may be prepared. Always read the actual paper instructions.

2. Where to check the approved calculator and dictionary lists

SEAB provides a central Calculators and Dictionaries page with links to the approved calculator list and approved dictionary list. The page was last updated on 3 August 2026 at the time of this review.

However, SEAB’s separate Approved Calculators page describes the list as applying to PSLE and GCE N(T), N(A), O- and A-Level examinations, rather than explicitly labelling it as a 2027 SEC list. Do not silently assume that a list with an older examination label automatically settles every SEC rule. Check the latest SEC instructions or confirm with the school before using a calculator in a national SEC paper.

For private candidates, follow the instructions issued by SEAB through the relevant SEC examination information and Candidates Portal. For school candidates, the school should communicate the applicable examination arrangements. If a model or rule is unclear, ask before examination day rather than relying on a shop description or a social-media post.

3. Check the paper, not just the subject name

A subject can have more than one paper or assessment component. A calculator rule that applies to one paper should not be assumed to apply to every paper in the subject. Similarly, some language papers may have oral or listening components where a dictionary is irrelevant, while a written paper may have a separate rule.

Use the syllabus to identify the paper components and read any additional notes about permitted materials. The official SEC school-candidate syllabus directory lists G1, G2 and G3 subject syllabuses. Check the actual subject code, not merely the subject title.

Do not assume a calculator is permitted in every Mathematics assessment, or that a dictionary is permitted in every language paper. The subject’s syllabus and examination instructions govern.

4. Common calculator mistakes before an examination

Buying the wrong model

A shop may advertise a calculator as suitable for secondary Mathematics. That is not the same as an official examination approval. Match the exact model number with the current official list or confirmation.

Using an unfamiliar calculator on exam day

Even an approved calculator can slow a student down if they do not know its functions. Practise with the exact permitted device during revision, if the subject and school rules allow it. Learn how to enter negative numbers, fractions, powers and scientific notation that are relevant to the syllabus.

Assuming every advanced feature is allowed

Do not infer permission from the appearance of a device. Check the approved list and restrictions. If the device has programmable, symbolic, communication or storage functions, verify the rules particularly carefully rather than guessing.

Leaving battery and display checks to the last minute

Test the device in advance and have the required spare battery if permitted. A calculator that is approved but fails during a paper is still a practical problem. Follow school and examination instructions about spares and replacement arrangements.

5. Dictionary mistakes: allowed does not mean unlimited annotation

A dictionary may have its own permitted-use conditions. Do not assume that highlights, tabs, handwritten notes, loose slips, inserted pages or translations are allowed merely because the dictionary itself is an approved title. The exact rules for annotations and physical preparation must come from the current examination instructions.

Likewise, do not assume that an electronic dictionary or phone application is equivalent to a permitted printed dictionary. A device may be restricted even if it provides the same definitions. Follow the stated rules for the paper.

Before the examination, inspect the dictionary and remove any material that is not allowed under the instructions. If uncertain about a particular annotation or tab, ask the teacher or examination officer. Do not wait until the invigilator checks the book.

6. What if a student has used a different calculator all year?

Do not panic, but do not wait until the week of the examination to resolve the issue. Identify the exact device model and compare it with the official guidance. If it is not permitted, obtain the correct model early enough for the student to become comfortable with it.

Then practise a small number of syllabus-relevant calculations using the allowed device. The aim is to transfer mathematical understanding to the approved calculator, not to spend days exploring every key. If a student cannot use a feature, ask the teacher to demonstrate the permitted method.

7. A pre-examination equipment checklist

  1. Write down the exact examination subject, level and paper component.
  2. Open the current SEAB calculator and dictionary guidance.
  3. Confirm the exact calculator model and dictionary title or edition.
  4. Check whether the relevant paper permits that aid and whether there are restrictions.
  5. Ask the school or SEAB if the SEC-specific position is not clear.
  6. Practise with the permitted equipment before examination day.
  7. Inspect the device and materials for unauthorised notes, features or inserts.

This is a preparation checklist, not a replacement for official examination rules. An invigilator’s instructions on the day must also be followed.

8. How G1, G2 and G3 affect the rules

G1, G2 and G3 are different subject levels under Full SBB. The same everyday object may be used by students at more than one level, but the applicable paper, subject syllabus and examination instructions still need to be checked. Do not assume that because a calculator is suitable for G3 Mathematics it is automatically authorised for every G1 or G2 paper, or vice versa.

SEAB’s 2027 syllabuses are listed separately for G1, G2 and G3. Check the correct subject page and any paper-specific requirements.

9. Do not let equipment replace understanding

A calculator can perform an operation, but the student still needs to identify the correct relationship, enter values in the right order and interpret the result. An approved dictionary can help clarify a word where permitted, but it cannot decide what an English or Mother Tongue question is asking.

For example, a student may use a calculator to obtain 64 after a percentage calculation. They still need to know whether 64 represents the discount amount or the final price. For that skill, read Fractions, Ratios and Percentages: Which Number Is the Whole?.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the calculator I used for school tests in the SEC?

Not automatically. Check the exact model against the latest applicable SEAB and school examination instructions.

Does the 2026 GCE approved calculator list automatically apply to SEC 2027?

The current SEAB calculator page is labelled for GCE examinations. Verify the SEC-specific position with the school or SEAB rather than assuming the older label settles it.

Can I use an online calculator or phone during an SEC paper?

Do not assume electronic devices are allowed. Follow the actual examination rules and the invigilator’s instructions.

Can I highlight or add tabs to my dictionary?

Only where the current rules permit the specific annotation or tab. Approval of a dictionary title does not automatically authorise every modification.

Should I buy a new calculator before checking the list?

No. Identify the exact subject and model requirements first, then buy only after confirming the device is permitted.

Where do I ask if the rule is unclear?

School candidates should ask their school or examination officer. Private candidates should check SEAB’s current SEC instructions and use SEAB’s official contact channel for clarification.

Continue reading

Official-source review: 10 November 2026. SEAB’s central calculators-and-dictionaries page and approved-calculator page were checked. Because the calculator list currently labels GCE examinations rather than explicitly naming the 2027 SEC, this article deliberately directs candidates to confirm the SEC-specific rules with their school or SEAB. It does not declare an unverified model or dictionary permitted.