Calculators guidance for examinations booklet

2024
Calculators guidance for examinations booklet
2024
 Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024

Published September 2023

Published by the International Baccalaureate Organization, a not-for-profit educational

foundation of Rue du Pré-de-la-Bichette 1, 1202 Genève, Switzerland.
Website: ibo.org

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2023

The International Baccalaureate Organization (known as the IB) offers four high-quality
and challenging educational programmes for a worldwide community of schools, aiming
to create a better, more peaceful world. This publication is one of a range of materials
produced to support these programmes.

The IB may use a variety of sources in its work and check information to verify accuracy
and authenticity, particularly when using community-based knowledge sources such as
Wikipedia. The IB respects the principles of intellectual property and makes strenuous
efforts to identify and obtain permission before publication from rights holders of all
copyright material used. The IB is grateful for permissions received for material used
in this publication and will be pleased to correct any errors or omissions at the earliest
opportunity.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the IB’s prior written
permission, or as expressly permitted by the Rules for use of IB Intellectual Property.

IB merchandise and publications can be purchased through the IB Store

(email: sales@ibo.org). Any commercial use of IB publications (whether fee-covered or
commercial) by third parties acting in the IB’s ecosystem without a formal relationship
with the IB (including but not limited to tutoring organizations, professional development
providers, educational publishers and operators of curriculum mapping or teacher
resource digital platforms, etc.) is prohibited and requires a subsequent written licence
from the IB. Licence requests should be sent to copyright@ibo.org. More information can
be obtained on the IB public website.

International Baccalaureate, Baccalauréat International, Bachillerato Internacional

and IB logos are registered trademarks of the International Baccalaureate Organization.
 IB mission statement
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who
help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop
challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong
learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
 IB learner profile
profile IB learner
arner profile IB le
ile IB learner prof
IB learner profile H E IB L E AR
N

ER
er profile IB learn

PROFILE
IB learner profile
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common
humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
As IB learners we strive to be:

We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories,
research. We know how to learn independently and with others. as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate
We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the
throughout life. experience.

We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a
knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference
and ideas that have local and global significance. in the lives of others and in the world around us.

We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination;
responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas
making reasoned, ethical decisions. and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the
face of challenges and change.
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one
language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of
carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups. our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve
well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interde-
pendence with other people and with the world in which we live.
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of
fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and expe-
of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions rience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in
and their consequences. order to support our learning and personal development.

The IB learner profile represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others
like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.

© International Baccalaureate Organization 2017

International Baccalaureate® | Baccalauréat International® | Bachillerato Internacional®
Contents

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024 1

1.0 Introduction 1
2.0 Groups and subjects 2
3.0 General restrictions applying to all calculators used in examinations 4
4.0 Responsibilities 5

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024

1.0 Introduction

This publication contains an overview of the use of calculators in IB examinations.

A graphic display calculator (GDC) is a calculator that is capable of displaying tabular, matrix, list,
geometrical and graphical representations, in addition to having functions found on scientific calculators.
GDCs can run programs and flash ROM applications (apps).
Not all programs or apps are suitable for use in examinations. Not all GDCs are suitable for use in
examinations that require GDCs. The document Use of calculators in examinations is updated annually in
February for the May and November sessions and may be found on the Programme Resource Centre, on
the home pages of subjects that require calculators. This document contains examples of recommended
and prohibited GDCs, along with required examination settings and approved apps. It is essential that
invigilators have a copy of this document.
It is strongly recommended that candidates have access throughout the subject course(s) to a single GDC
from the list of recommended models.

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024 1

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024

2.0 Groups and subjects

Calculators of the types indicated as suitable are allowed only in the subjects listed in the table below.

Subjects Calculators
Business management A four-function (plus, minus, multiply, divide) calculator, scientific
Environmental systems and calculator or GDC is required for paper 2. A calculator may be taken
societies into the examinations for paper 1 and paper 3 (HL only).

Economics Calculators are not allowed for paper 1.

For paper 2 and paper 3, while all questions requiring a calculator can
be answered fully using a four-function calculator (plus, minus,
multiply, divide), GDCs are allowed during the examination. The
graphing functions on these calculators may assist students and it is
therefore recommended that all students are familiar with the use of
GDCs.
Astronomy A calculator with the following minimum functionalities is required for
Marine science all examinations (a GDC is recommended).

Nature of science • Decimal logarithms

• Values of xy and x1/y
• Value of π (pi)
• Trigonometric functions
• Inverse trigonometric functions
• Natural logarithms
• Values of ex
• Scientific notation
Biology Calculators are not allowed for paper 1.
Chemistry On paper 2 and paper 3, a calculator with the following minimum
Physics functionalities is required (a GDC is recommended).

Sports, exercise and health science • Decimal logarithms

• Values of xy and x1/y
• Value of π (pi)
• Trigonometric functions
• Inverse trigonometric functions
• Natural logarithms
• Values of ex
• Scientific notation
Design technology Calculators are not allowed for paper 1.
A four-function calculator (plus, minus, multiply, divide), scientific
calculator or GDC is required for SL/HL paper 2 and HL paper 3
examinations.

2 Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024

 2.0 Groups and subjects

Subjects Calculators
Mathematics: analysis and Calculators are not allowed for Mathematics: analysis and approaches
approaches paper 1.
Mathematics: applications and On Mathematics: analysis and approaches paper 2 and paper 3 and
interpretation Mathematics: applications and interpretation paper 1, paper 2 and
paper 3, a GDC with the following minimum functionalities is required:
• plot graphs with any viewing window and identify key features
• solve equations, graphically and numerically (real and complex
solutions)
• solve systems of equations, graphically and numerically (real and
complex solutions)
• find a numerical derivative at a point
• find a numerical definite integral
• financial (TVM) solver
• add and multiply matrices, find determinant and inverse matrices
• convert between Cartesian and modulus-argument (polar) form
• operations with complex numbers
• probability distribution functionality:
◦ normal distribution
◦ binomial distribution
◦ Poisson distribution
◦ t-distribution
◦ confidence intervals (for normal and t-distributions)
• find statistical values including:
◦ binomial coefficient nCr, nPr
◦ 1 and 2 variable statistical values
◦ Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and
coefficient of determination
◦ regression equations (linear, quadratic, cubic, exponential,
power and sinusoidal)
◦ X2 test for independence (X2 values and p values)
◦ X2 goodness of fit test (X2 values and p values), varying the
degree of freedom
◦ t-test (t values and p values)
• spreadsheets or recursion tools to find approximate solutions
using Euler’s method
• plot phase portraits for two numeric sequences

Different courses have different requirements, but the minimum requirements listed above are for all the
mathematics courses. Some of these may not be relevant to every course. Statistical tables are not allowed
in mathematics subject examinations. Candidates must have access to calculators that are able to find
relevant statistical values.

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024 3

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024

3.0 General restrictions applying to all calculators

used in examinations

Restrictions on the use of certain technology are in place to discourage malpractice and maintain fair and
reasonable access to technology that is generally required in the good practice of teaching and assessment.
• Telephones, smart phones, smart watches, tablets, calculator watches, personal computers (PCs) and
any other device that enables internet access are not allowed in any subject examinations.
• Only the manufacturer’s operating system may be used.
• Computer algebra systems (CAS)-equipped calculators (symbolic manipulation, whether in-built or
programmed) are not allowed in any subject examinations.
• Calculators with wireless/infrared communication are not allowed in any subject examinations.
• Examination questions must not be stored in, or recorded into, the memory of a calculator.
• Peripheral hardware must not be taken into the examination room (for example, keyboards, link cables
and so on).
• Calculators must not be shared or exchanged during examinations.
• Calculator manuals must not be taken into the examination room.
• More than one calculator per candidate may be brought into the examination room. However, a spare
set of batteries is a preferable alternative to several calculators.

4 Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024

4.0 Responsibilities

4.1 Coordinators and invigilators

The coordinator must ensure that these requirements are understood and are being followed by all
candidates, teachers and invigilators. Schools are responsible for monitoring the use of calculators by
candidates on a continuous basis.
During the examination, if a coordinator/invigilator finds that a candidate has used unauthorized material
or technology, the matter should be reported in the same way as any other breach of examination
regulations. During any inspection, the coordinator should expect to show visiting IB representatives that
this checking procedure is being followed.

4.2 Teachers and candidates

Teachers of all Diploma Programme (DP) subjects that permit or require the use of calculators in
examinations should make candidates aware of both the requirements and restrictions of use before the
relevant examinations take place. The potential consequences of breaches of these requirements by
candidates would be similar to consequences of any other breaches of examination regulations.
Teachers are responsible for monitoring the use of calculators by candidates throughout the course by
informal conversation and by spot-checking calculators. Methods of monitoring individual calculators
include manually checking, transferring memory to a PC or using tools provided by the calculator
manufacturer.

Calculators guidance for examinations booklet 2024 5