About this deal
WHSmith Top Pick for GCSEs: This black CASIO FX-85 GT CW is the new upgraded version of the CASIO FX-85GT X and includes all the features needed in a secondary school classroom. But I really need to be up-to-speed on today’s calculators as my own children, let alone my tutorial students, move into GCSEs and beyond.
Casio doesn’t appear to have done much field testing of the new models before launching them on the world! However, different calculators have different capabilities so here’s a guide to the ones you’re most likely to come across. Remember I mentioned that a graphical calculator is much more complex to operate than a scientific one?AtthemomentallmyanswersarecomingoutasfractionsandfractionsareuselesstomeasIneedallmynumbersindecimals. It’s a shame that the school’s equipment supplier / Casio can influence the Maths department’s teaching without a considered review of such an important change. To get the right answer you have to either manually enclose the 5 × 10² in brackets, or enter the calculation using the fraction (natural display) button. li>
It – or an equivalent – is certainly required for the Statistical Techniques option on the AQA spec. The FX-85GTPLUS takes the UK's Number One Scientific Calculator a step further, by offering Solar Power to ensure no loss of battery during those crucial exams. You’ll probably need it if you do Core Maths too, though it does depend on which board and which modules you study. The Casio fx-991 CWis Casio’s most advanced scientific calculator, providing 540+ functions and is suitable for Key Stages 3,4 and 5, to include A /AS level.
The Casio fx-991EX is Casio’s most advanced scientific calculator, providing 552 functions and is suitable for Key Stages 3,4 and 5, to include A /AS level.