NESA maintains strict rules about which calculators you can bring into HSC Maths exams — and not every scientific calculator makes the cut. You need a non-programmable scientific calculator with no CAS capability.
Updated July 2026. The definitive source is still NESA's published approved calculator list; use this guide as a plain-English summary and check NESA before buying or sitting an exam.
New for the 2026 HSC: Casio fx-8200 AU II
NESA has approved the Casio fx-8200 AU II calculator for use from the 2026 HSC exams onwards, according to its official notice published on 12 September 2025.
NESA's notice also says there are no changes to previously approved calculators. Read the official notice here: New approved calculator for 2026 HSC.
For a practical classroom comparison with the fx-82AU PLUS II, read the Casio fx-8200 AU II review for HSC maths.
What NESA Requires for Exam Calculators
NESA's calculator rules apply to all HSC Mathematics courses: Standard 1, Standard 2, Advanced, Extension 1, and Extension 2. The rules are the same across all five.
An approved calculator must be:
- Scientific — it handles trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions
- Non-programmable — you cannot store custom programs, sequences of keystrokes, or text
- Non-CAS — it cannot perform symbolic algebra, calculus, or algebraic manipulation
- Silent — no audio output
- Non-graphing — calculators that graph equations are not permitted
NESA publishes its approved calculator list each year before the HSC. The list names specific makes and models — being "scientific" in a general sense is not enough. If your calculator isn't on the published list for that year, a supervisor will refuse to let you use it.
Check the current approved list on the NESA Approved Calculators page before purchasing a calculator, and check again before sitting the exam. The list changes between years.
Calculator fluency should be practised beside the NESA HSC maths reference sheet, especially for financial maths, statistics, measurement, and trigonometry questions.
Popular NESA-Approved Calculator Models
The following calculators are widely used by NSW HSC students and appear on NESA's approved list.
Casio fx-82AU PLUS II The most common calculator in NSW classrooms. It handles all the statistical functions (including regression), complex number display, and unit conversions you need across Standard and Advanced courses. Most maths teachers are familiar with it, which makes getting help easier. If you are buying your first HSC calculator, this is the safe default.
Casio fx-100AU PLUS A step up from the fx-82 series with more built-in functions. Approved by NESA. Useful for students doing Extension 1 or Extension 2 who want extra capabilities within the non-CAS constraint.
Sharp EL-531 A solid alternative to the Casio range. Less common in NSW classrooms but fully functional for HSC purposes. If you use a Sharp through Year 11, there is no reason to switch.
Texas Instruments TI-30XB MultiView The TI-30XB is on NESA's approved list and is used by students who prefer the Texas Instruments layout. Like all approved models, it is non-programmable and non-CAS.
While these are approved models, verify the status of your specific version with NESA's published list for the current exam year in case of recent adjustments.
Banned Calculators in the HSC
The banned calculator types are easier to explain than the approved list:
CAS calculators are banned from HSC exams. CAS stands for Computer Algebra System — these calculators solve equations symbolically, differentiate and integrate algebraically, and simplify expressions. The Casio ClassPad range and the Texas Instruments TI-Nspire CAS are examples.
Programmable calculators cannot be used even if they lack CAS. Any calculator where you store a sequence of operations or write a program is excluded.
Graphing calculators that plot function graphs — the TI-84 Plus, for example — are not permitted.
Calculators with QWERTY keyboards are always excluded.
If a supervisor cannot confirm your calculator is on the approved list, they remove it from your exam. Using an unapproved calculator is an exam misconduct issue, not just an administrative one.
How to Prepare Your Calculator for Exam Day
Bring a backup. Batteries die and buttons stop responding. A dead calculator mid-exam is an unrecoverable exam situation. Bring a second approved calculator — the same model is fine — and keep it charged.
Check the battery before you leave. Replace it the week before the exam. Don't replace it the night before; give yourself time to confirm the calculator is working correctly after the battery change.
Know your statistical functions. The HSC Standard 2 paper involves regression, mean, and standard deviation calculations. Practice entering data into the list mode before the exam. Students who haven't used these functions in a few weeks consistently make input errors under pressure.
Don't rely on equation solvers for exact answers. Decimal approximations won't satisfy NESA's exact-value requirements. Know when the question wants an exact form (like √3/2 or ln 2) and when a decimal is acceptable.
Arrive early enough to sort out calculator issues. If a supervisor questions your calculator at the door, you need time to resolve it before the exam clock is running.
Ask your maths teacher about curriq — it's free during early access for NSW schools. Students use it to practise HSC-style questions mapped to specific NESA outcomes, so you know exactly which parts of the syllabus you've covered and which need more work. Learn more at curriq.com.au.
FAQ
What calculator can I use in the HSC?
You can use a calculator that appears on NESA's current approved calculator list for the HSC exam you are sitting. Check the published list before purchasing and again before the exam.
Is the Casio fx-8200 AU II allowed in the 2026 HSC?
Yes. NESA has approved the Casio fx-8200 AU II for use from the 2026 HSC exams onwards.
Are CAS or graphing calculators allowed?
No. NESA says approved calculators may not have graphing capability or CAS functionality.
What happens if I bring an unapproved calculator?
Exam supervisors can refuse to let you use an unapproved calculator. The definitive source is NESA's current approved calculator list.