Find the Best Calculator to Use for the FE Exam
Compare NCEES-approved calculators and choose the perfect one for your exam.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Calculator to Use for the FE Exam
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam is a critical step towards becoming a licensed professional engineer. A crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of your preparation is selecting the right calculator. The NCEES (National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying) has a strict calculator policy, limiting candidates to specific models. Choosing the best calculator to use for the FE exam isn’t just about compliance; it’s about efficiency, comfort, and maximizing your performance on test day. Our interactive tool helps you compare the top approved calculators based on your personal priorities, ensuring you make an informed decision.
FE Exam Calculator Comparison Tool
Choose the first NCEES-approved calculator for comparison.
Choose a second NCEES-approved calculator to compare against.
Your Priority Settings (1 = Low, 5 = High)
How important is it for the calculator to be intuitive and easy to learn? Current: 4
How important are advanced functions like complex numbers, matrices, or solvers? Current: 5
How important is a lower price point for your calculator choice? Current: 3
How important is a robust build that can withstand frequent use? Current: 3
Comparison Results
Based on your priorities, the recommended calculator is:
Select calculators and priorities to compare.
How the Recommendation is Calculated: This tool assigns an internal score to each calculator for Ease of Use, Advanced Features, Price, and Durability. These internal scores are then multiplied by your chosen priority levels (1-5) for each category. The sum of these weighted scores determines the overall “Weighted Score” for each calculator. The calculator with the highest Weighted Score is recommended.
Weighted Score Comparison
Caption: This bar chart visually represents the weighted scores for each selected calculator, helping you quickly identify which one aligns best with your priorities.
Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | Calculator 1 | Calculator 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use (Internal Score) | N/A | N/A |
| Advanced Features (Internal Score) | N/A | N/A |
| Price (Internal Score) | N/A | N/A |
| Durability (Internal Score) | N/A | N/A |
| Complex Numbers | N/A | N/A |
| Matrices | N/A | N/A |
| Unit Conversions | N/A | N/A |
| Equation Solvers | N/A | N/A |
| RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) | N/A | N/A |
| Display Type | N/A | N/A |
Caption: A detailed breakdown of key features for the selected FE exam approved calculators, highlighting their capabilities.
What is the best calculator to use for the FE exam?
The question of the best calculator to use for the FE exam is paramount for any aspiring engineer. The FE exam, administered by the NCEES, is a computer-based test that requires candidates to bring an approved scientific calculator. Unlike many academic exams, graphing calculators or programmable calculators (with some exceptions like the HP 35s) are generally prohibited. The “best” calculator isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer; it depends on individual familiarity, preferred workflow, and the specific features needed for your engineering discipline.
Who Should Use This Calculator Comparison Tool?
- Engineering Students: Those preparing for the FE exam and needing to select an NCEES-approved calculator.
- Recent Graduates: Individuals who may have used different calculators during their studies and need to adapt to the FE exam’s strict policy.
- Engineers Seeking Licensure: Anyone aiming to pass the FE exam as a step towards their Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Educators and Tutors: To guide their students in making an informed choice for the FE exam.
Common Misconceptions About FE Exam Calculators
Many candidates harbor misconceptions that can hinder their exam preparation:
- “Any scientific calculator will do.” False. Only specific models from Casio, Hewlett Packard, and Texas Instruments are allowed. Always check the latest NCEES calculator policy.
- “A more expensive calculator is always better.” Not necessarily. The TI-36X Pro and Casio FX-115ES Plus 2nd Edition are highly capable and affordable, often preferred over the more expensive HP 35s due to ease of use.
- “I can just learn my new calculator on exam day.” A critical mistake. You must be intimately familiar with your chosen calculator’s functions, shortcuts, and quirks to save precious time during the exam.
- “Graphing calculators are allowed.” Generally, no. The NCEES policy explicitly lists approved non-graphing scientific calculators.
Best Calculator for FE Exam: Understanding the Comparison Logic
Our tool helps you determine the best calculator to use for the FE exam by applying a weighted scoring system. Instead of a traditional mathematical formula for a single output, this section explains the logic behind comparing different calculator models based on user-defined priorities and inherent calculator attributes.
Step-by-Step Derivation of the Weighted Score
- Define Calculator Attributes: Each NCEES-approved calculator (e.g., TI-36X Pro, Casio FX-115ES Plus 2nd Edition, HP 35s) is assigned an internal score (1-5) for key attributes: Ease of Use, Advanced Features, Price, and Durability. For Price, a lower actual price translates to a higher internal score (e.g., $20 calculator gets a 5, $60 calculator gets a 3).
- User Priority Input: You, the user, assign a priority level (1-5) to each of these attributes, reflecting what matters most to you.
- Calculate Weighted Score: For each calculator, a “Weighted Score” is calculated using the following logic:
Weighted Score = (Calculator_EaseOfUse_Score × User_EaseOfUse_Priority) +
(Calculator_AdvancedFeatures_Score × User_AdvancedFeatures_Priority) +
(Calculator_Price_Score × User_Price_Priority) +
(Calculator_Durability_Score × User_Durability_Priority) - Determine Recommendation: The calculator with the highest total Weighted Score is identified as the “recommended” option based on your specific preferences.
Variable Explanations and Typical Ranges
Understanding the variables involved in this comparison is key to finding the best calculator to use for the FE exam for your needs.
| Variable | Meaning | Unit/Scale | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Priority: Ease of Use | Your personal importance of a calculator being intuitive and easy to learn. | Scale (1-5) | 1 (Not important) to 5 (Very important) |
| User Priority: Advanced Features | Your personal importance of functions like complex numbers, matrices, or equation solvers. | Scale (1-5) | 1 (Not important) to 5 (Very important) |
| User Priority: Price/Affordability | Your personal importance of the calculator being budget-friendly. | Scale (1-5) | 1 (Not important) to 5 (Very important) |
| User Priority: Durability/Build Quality | Your personal importance of the calculator being robust and long-lasting. | Scale (1-5) | 1 (Not important) to 5 (Very important) |
| Calculator Internal Score: Ease of Use | An objective rating of how easy a specific calculator model is to learn and operate. | Scale (1-5) | TI-36X Pro: 4, Casio FX-115ES Plus: 4, HP 35s: 2 |
| Calculator Internal Score: Advanced Features | An objective rating of the breadth and depth of advanced mathematical functions available. | Scale (1-5) | TI-36X Pro: 4, Casio FX-115ES Plus: 5, HP 35s: 5 |
| Calculator Internal Score: Price | An inverse rating of the typical market price (lower price = higher score). | Scale (1-5) | TI-36X Pro: 5, Casio FX-115ES Plus: 5, HP 35s: 3 |
| Calculator Internal Score: Durability | An objective rating of the physical robustness and build quality of the calculator. | Scale (1-5) | TI-36X Pro: 3, Casio FX-115ES Plus: 3, HP 35s: 4 |
Practical Examples: Finding the Best Calculator to Use for the FE Exam
Let’s walk through a couple of real-world scenarios to demonstrate how this tool helps you identify the best calculator to use for the FE exam based on different priorities.
Example 1: The Budget-Conscious Student Prioritizing Ease of Use
Sarah is an engineering student on a tight budget. She wants a calculator that’s easy to pick up and use, as she doesn’t have much time to learn complex operations. Advanced features are nice, but not her top priority. Durability is moderately important.
- User Priorities:
- Ease of Use: 5 (Very High)
- Advanced Features: 3 (Medium)
- Price/Affordability: 5 (Very High)
- Durability: 3 (Medium)
- Calculators Compared: TI-36X Pro vs. HP 35s
- Calculation (TI-36X Pro): (4 * 5) + (4 * 3) + (5 * 5) + (3 * 3) = 20 + 12 + 25 + 9 = 66
- Calculation (HP 35s): (2 * 5) + (5 * 3) + (3 * 5) + (4 * 3) = 10 + 15 + 15 + 12 = 52
- Output: The tool would recommend the TI-36X Pro.
Interpretation: For Sarah, the TI-36X Pro’s excellent balance of ease of use and affordability, combined with its strong feature set, makes it the superior choice over the more complex and expensive HP 35s, even though the HP has slightly more advanced features and better durability.
Example 2: The Experienced Engineer Prioritizing Advanced Features and RPN
David is an experienced engineer who has always used HP calculators with Reverse Polish Notation (RPN). He values powerful advanced features and is comfortable with a steeper learning curve if it means more capability. Price is less of a concern, and durability is important for long-term use.
- User Priorities:
- Ease of Use: 2 (Low – comfortable with RPN)
- Advanced Features: 5 (Very High)
- Price/Affordability: 2 (Low – less concerned)
- Durability: 4 (High)
- Calculators Compared: Casio FX-115ES Plus 2nd Edition vs. HP 35s
- Calculation (Casio FX-115ES Plus 2nd Edition): (4 * 2) + (5 * 5) + (5 * 2) + (3 * 4) = 8 + 25 + 10 + 12 = 55
- Calculation (HP 35s): (2 * 2) + (5 * 5) + (3 * 2) + (4 * 4) = 4 + 25 + 6 + 16 = 51
- Output: The tool would recommend the Casio FX-115ES Plus 2nd Edition.
Interpretation: While David is familiar with RPN, the Casio still edges out the HP 35s in this scenario due to its slightly better internal ease-of-use score (even with David’s low priority for it) and its strong advanced features, combined with a better price score. However, if David’s RPN preference was weighted even higher (e.g., as a separate “RPN Preference” priority), the HP 35s might become the clear winner. This highlights the importance of accurately setting your priorities when using the tool to find the best calculator to use for the FE exam.
How to Use This Best Calculator for FE Exam Calculator
Our comparison tool is designed to simplify your decision-making process for selecting the best calculator to use for the FE exam. Follow these steps to get the most out of it:
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Select Calculator Models: In the “Select Calculator 1” and “Select Calculator 2” dropdowns, choose two NCEES-approved calculators you wish to compare. You can select the same calculator for both if you only want to see its scores based on your priorities.
- Set Your Priorities: Use the sliders for “Ease of Use,” “Advanced Features,” “Price/Affordability,” and “Durability/Build Quality.” Move the slider from 1 (Low Importance) to 5 (High Importance) for each category. Your choices here directly influence the weighted scores.
- Click “Compare Calculators”: Once you’ve made your selections and set your priorities, click the “Compare Calculators” button. The results will update automatically.
- Review the Primary Result: The “Recommended Calculator” will be displayed prominently, indicating which calculator best aligns with your specified priorities.
- Examine Intermediate Results: Look at the “Calculator 1 Score” and “Calculator 2 Score” to see the exact weighted scores. The “Key Feature Summary” provides a quick overview of their main differences.
- Consult the Chart and Table: The “Weighted Score Comparison” chart offers a visual representation of the scores, while the “Detailed Feature Comparison” table provides a side-by-side breakdown of specific capabilities like complex numbers, matrices, and display types.
- Adjust and Re-evaluate: If you’re not satisfied with the recommendation, adjust your priority sliders or select different calculators and click “Compare Calculators” again. Experiment to see how different priorities affect the outcome.
- Reset or Copy: Use the “Reset” button to clear all inputs and return to default settings. Use the “Copy Results” button to save the main recommendation, scores, and key assumptions to your clipboard for future reference.
How to Read Results and Make Decisions
The tool provides a data-driven recommendation, but your personal comfort and experience are also vital. If the recommended calculator has a significantly higher weighted score, it’s a strong indicator. However, if the scores are very close, consider other factors like a friend’s recommendation, availability, or simply which one “feels right” in your hand. The detailed feature table is particularly useful for identifying specific functions crucial to your engineering discipline.
Key Factors That Affect Your Choice for the Best Calculator to Use for the FE Exam
Choosing the best calculator to use for the FE exam involves more than just picking one from a list. Several critical factors should influence your decision to ensure you’re well-prepared for test day.
- NCEES Approved Calculator List: This is the absolute first and most important factor. Only specific models are allowed. Any calculator not on this list will be confiscated, and you’ll be left without a tool. Always check the latest NCEES policy on their official website.
- User Familiarity and Comfort: Your comfort level with a calculator is paramount. If you’ve used a particular model throughout college, sticking with it (if approved) can save valuable time during the exam. Learning a new calculator’s nuances under exam pressure is a recipe for stress.
- Specific Engineering Discipline Needs: While the FE exam covers general engineering principles, some disciplines might benefit more from certain calculator features. For example, electrical engineers might frequently use complex numbers, while civil engineers might focus more on statistical functions.
- Price and Budget: Approved calculators range from around $20-$25 (TI-36X Pro, Casio FX-115ES Plus) to $50-$60 (HP 35s). While not a huge investment, budget can be a factor for students. Fortunately, even the most affordable options are highly capable.
- Advanced Functionality: Consider features like:
- Complex Numbers: Essential for electrical engineering.
- Matrices: Useful for solving systems of equations.
- Unit Conversions: Can be a time-saver, though often available in the NCEES reference handbook.
- Equation Solvers: For quickly finding roots or solving for variables.
- Integrals/Derivatives: Numerical integration/differentiation can be helpful.
- Display Type: “Natural textbook display” (like on the Casio FX-115ES Plus and TI-36X Pro) shows equations as they appear in textbooks, which many find intuitive. The HP 35s has a more traditional single-line display.
- Reverse Polish Notation (RPN): The HP 35s uses RPN, which can be incredibly efficient for those familiar with it but has a steep learning curve for newcomers. If you’re not already an RPN user, it’s generally not recommended to learn it just for the FE exam.
- Durability and Build Quality: While less critical for a single exam, if you plan to use the calculator for future studies or professional work, a more robust build (like the HP 35s) might be a consideration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Best Calculator to Use for the FE Exam
A: No, generally graphing calculators are not allowed. The NCEES has a strict policy that only permits specific non-graphing scientific calculators. Always check the latest NCEES approved calculator list before your exam.
A: You cannot use it. You must choose one from the approved list. It’s crucial to purchase an approved model and practice extensively with it before your exam date to ensure familiarity.
A: If your current calculator is not on the approved list, then yes, you must. Even if it is, many students find it beneficial to have a dedicated calculator for the FE exam to avoid wear and tear on their primary one and to ensure it’s always available for practice.
A: RPN is a different input method used by the HP 35s. If you are already proficient with RPN, it can be very efficient. However, if you’re not, it’s generally not recommended to learn RPN specifically for the FE exam due to the steep learning curve and potential for errors under pressure.
A: Yes, the NCEES policy allows you to bring two approved calculators. This is a common strategy to have a backup in case one malfunctions or runs out of battery during the exam. Both must be on the approved list.
A: Both are excellent, affordable choices. The Casio often has a slight edge in advanced features (like more robust matrix operations) and its “Natural V.P.A.M.” display is highly regarded. The TI-36X Pro is also very capable and widely used. The choice often comes down to personal preference for button layout and display nuances.
A: Extensive practice is essential. You should be able to perform all necessary operations quickly and accurately without thinking. Integrate your calculator into all your FE exam practice problems and study sessions.
A: Some manufacturers offer emulators or apps for their calculators, but these are typically not free. It’s always best to practice with the physical calculator you intend to use on exam day to build muscle memory and familiarity.