Cfa Approved Calculator

Instantly verify if your calculator model is permitted for use on the CFA® exam. This tool and guide are based on the official CFA Institute calculator policy.

Distribution of CFA Approved Calculator Brands

What is the CFA Approved Calculator Policy?

The CFA Institute enforces a very strict cfa approved calculator policy to ensure a level playing field for all candidates taking the exam. This policy is not about allowing the most powerful calculators, but rather standardizing the tools available to prevent any candidate from having an unfair technological advantage. The use of an unauthorized calculator can result in the voiding of your exam results, making it critical to understand and adhere to the rules. The policy explicitly names only two families of calculators that are permitted. Any other model, regardless of its functionality, is prohibited.

This stringent approach to the cfa approved calculator ensures exam integrity and fairness. Candidates must bring their own approved calculator, as they are not provided at test centers, and sharing is strictly forbidden. Our cfa approved calculator checker above helps you quickly verify if your model complies with these important regulations.

The Logic Behind the CFA Approved Calculator Check

The “formula” for our cfa approved calculator tool isn’t a mathematical equation, but a logical check against a “whitelist” of models specified by the CFA Institute. The logic simply verifies if the model name you enter matches one of the approved devices. The policy exclusively permits two calculator brands: Texas Instruments and Hewlett Packard.

Below is a table detailing the only models accepted under the official cfa approved calculator policy. If your calculator is not on this list, it is not permitted in the exam room.

Brand	Allowed Model Variants	Key Feature
Texas Instruments	BA II Plus, BA II Plus Professional	Algebraic Operating System (more intuitive for most users).
Hewlett Packard	12C, 12C Platinum, 12C Platinum 25th/30th Anniversary, 12C Prestige	Reverse Polish Notation (RPN), favored by some finance veterans for speed.

Official list of models compliant with the cfa approved calculator policy for 2026.

Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)

Example 1: A Common, Approved Calculator

• Input: User types “Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional” into the cfa approved calculator checker.
• Logic: The tool converts the input to lowercase and finds the keywords “ba ii plus professional”. This matches an approved model.
• Output: The result is “APPROVED”. The intermediate values show a “Yes” for Policy Match and “Texas Instruments” for Allowed Brand.
• Interpretation: This calculator is fully compliant and can be used in the exam.

Example 2: A Non-Approved Scientific Calculator

• Input: User types “Casio FX-991EX” into the cfa approved calculator checker.
• Logic: The tool does not find “casio” in its list of approved brands.
• Output: The result is “NOT APPROVED”. The intermediate values show “No” for Policy Match and “N/A” for Allowed Brand.
• Interpretation: This calculator, despite being a powerful scientific calculator, is not on the approved list and is forbidden.

How to Use This CFA Approved Calculator Checker

Using our cfa approved calculator tool is simple and immediate. Follow these steps to ensure you are compliant with exam day rules.

1. Enter Your Calculator Model: Type the full name of your calculator (e.g., “HP 12C Platinum”) into the input field.
2. Check the Result: The tool will instantly update. A green “APPROVED” message means you are set. A red “NOT APPROVED” message means you need to acquire a compliant calculator.
3. Review the Details: The intermediate results provide context on why your calculator is or is not approved, confirming the brand and policy match.
4. Consult the Official List: For absolute certainty, always cross-reference the result with the official list of approved models provided in the table above. Using a valid cfa approved calculator is a small but vital step in your exam preparation.

Key Factors That Affect CFA Calculator Policy

Several factors underscore the CFA Institute’s strict calculator policy. Understanding them helps appreciate the importance of using a cfa approved calculator.

• Ensuring Fairness: The primary goal is to prevent any candidate from gaining an advantage through superior technology. Standardizing the calculators ensures everyone works with the same functional limitations.
• Functionality vs. Programmability: The approved models have specific financial functions (NPV, IRR, TVM) needed for the curriculum but lack extensive programming or graphing capabilities, which could be used to store notes or formulas.
• Battery and Reliability: Candidates are responsible for their calculator’s power. You are allowed to bring spare batteries and even a small screwdriver. It’s also permitted to bring a second cfa approved calculator as a backup.
• Memory Wiping: Proctors will require you to show that your calculator’s memory has been cleared before the exam begins. This is another measure to prevent the storing of information.
• Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) vs. Algebraic: The two approved brands use different input methods. The HP 12C uses RPN (e.g., `3 [enter] 4 [+]`), which is faster for complex calculations once mastered. The TI BA II Plus uses the standard algebraic method (e.g., `3 + 4 =`) which is more familiar to most people.
• Cost and Accessibility: The chosen models are widely available and relatively affordable, ensuring they are accessible to candidates globally. This makes the cfa approved calculator policy equitable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• 1. Can I bring two calculators to the CFA exam?

  Yes, you are allowed to bring a second calculator as a backup, as long as it is also an approved model (either another TI BA II Plus or an HP 12C).

• 2. What happens if I bring a non-approved calculator?

  Use or possession of an unauthorized calculator will lead to its confiscation and, more severely, the voiding of your exam results. It’s a risk not worth taking.

• 3. Is the TI BA II Plus Professional better than the standard version?

  The Professional version has a sturdier build and a few extra functions like Net Future Value (NFV) and Discounted Payback Period (DPB). For the exam, however, the standard version is perfectly sufficient.

• 4. Do I need to know how to use all the functions on my cfa approved calculator?

  You should master the core functions required for the curriculum, such as TVM, cash flows (CF, NPV, IRR), bond valuations, and basic statistics. Practice is essential.

• 5. Should I choose the TI BA II Plus or the HP 12C?

  Most candidates and prep providers recommend the TI BA II Plus for its ease of use. However, if you are already comfortable with RPN, the HP 12C is an excellent and efficient tool. The best cfa approved calculator is the one you are most comfortable with.

• 6. Are calculator covers and spare batteries allowed?

  Yes, calculator covers, keystroke cards, and loose spare batteries are permitted in the testing room. Instruction manuals are not.

• 7. Do I need to clear my calculator’s memory?

  Yes, proctors will likely inspect your calculator and ask you to clear its memory to ensure no formulas or notes are stored.

• 8. Can I use a calculator app on my phone or a smartwatch?

  No. All mobile phones, smartwatches, and any other electronic communication devices are strictly prohibited. You must use only a physical cfa approved calculator.

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