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+--- Thread: DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators (/Thread-DSST-Only-Allows-4-Function-Calculators)
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - mstcrow5429 - 07-03-2007
I just got off the phone with Ms. McCormick of the DSST program. She stated that only 4-function calculators are allowed, and anything more capable than that would break the "non-programmable" rule. I was surprised, so I specifically asked, "Are only 4 function calculators allowed?" She verified that this was the case. Has anyone else directly contacted the DSST program (877–471–9860)? Do you get the same answer? Obviously, a lot of people could get in very big trouble if this holds up.
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - 4dkids - 07-03-2007
On the verge of a panic attack! Being a math phobic, and needing to test out of both stats and finance- I also called the aforementioned number to ask if I specifically could bring my TI BAII+ to either test. "David" informed me that calculators w/ factory functions are allowed -any calculator w/ memory (where it can be personally programmed) is not allowed. Anyone know if my calculator has memory... we've not gotten acquainted just yet.
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - mstcrow5429 - 07-03-2007
4dkids Wrote:On the verge of a panic attack! Being a math phobic, and needing to test out of both stats and finance- I also called the aforementioned number to ask if I specifically could bring my TI BAII+ to either test. "David" informed me that calculators w/ factory functions are allowed -any calculator w/ memory (where it can be personally programmed) is not allowed. Anyone know if my calculator has memory... we've not gotten acquainted just yet.What are "factory" functions? Not as if most people are going to mod their calculator to deviate from factory specifications...I'm still confused... Is memory like M+ to store/program into the calculator a single integer on the basic calculators? Every single of my most basic calculators have this function. Finding one without the M+ feature would be akin to trying to buy a car without air conditioning.
Edit:
I've e-mailed the proctor at the location (Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA) where I'd be taking DSSTs. I figure if I can't get a definitive or fully coherent answer from DSST, maybe I can get a firm approval or negative from the people that actually administer the exams.
Edit Edit:
Follows is the reply:
"My understanding is that no calculators are allowed in the testing room. If you are allowed to use a calculator for one of the DSST exams, one will be available on the computer. I will do some research on this and get back to you."
So they don't really know either, but will hopefully figure it out for me.
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - AGS - 07-05-2007
mstcrow5429 Wrote:What are "factory" functions? Not as if most people are going to mod their calculator to deviate from factory specifications...I'm still confused... Is memory like M+ to store/program into the calculator a single integer on the basic calculators? Every single of my most basic calculators have this function. Finding one without the M+ feature would be akin to trying to buy a car without air conditioning.
Edit:
I've e-mailed the proctor at the location where I'd be taking DSSTs. I figure if I can't get a definitive or fully coherent answer from DSST, maybe I can get a firm approval or negative from the people that actually administer the exams.
Edit Edit:
Follows is the reply:
"My understanding is that no calculators are allowed in the testing room. If you are allowed to use a calculator for one of the DSST exams, one will be available on the computer. I will do some research on this and get back to you."
So they don't really know either, but will hopefully figure it out for me.
i am going to take the paper and pencil test rather than the computer exam ...
even if i have to wait for 2 weeks .......
thats so ridiculous not allowing a simple calculator into the exam room .....
i mean you can get those small dink radio shack calculators with no programmable function keys ......
wow ....
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - mstcrow5429 - 07-05-2007
Response from the local testing center:
"I just got information about the calculator that I hope will be as
helpful to you as it has been for me. You can use a non-programmable
calculator for both of your exams. It must only add, subtract, multiply
and divide. It cannot hold formulas. We have a calculator available if
you would prefer using one of ours. It's a Casio fx260 Solar and because
we use it for testing I'm assuming it is not programmable.
Please let me know what you prefer to do.
Thanks!"
So it is confirmed that only 4-function calculators, incapable of using formulas (although never seen a 4-function calculator that could hold formulas) are allowed on the DSST exams that allow calculators. Although the Casio FX-260 Solar does have 144 built-in mathematic functions. I'll ask about that, as this contradicts the response.
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - mstcrow5429 - 07-05-2007
Response regarding the Casio FX-260 Solar:
There is a difference between functions and formulas. But I just got
word that the calculator can have only 4 functions so this Casio will
not work. I found one on the Internet: Brother 418E 4-function
calculator - any 4-function only calculator will work. And the four
functions are add, subtract, divide, and multiply. I'm sure you can find
others on the Internet as well.
I hope this has helped.
Interestingly, the Brother 418E is an antique, an antique with Pi, square root, and other functions...
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - 4dkids - 07-05-2007
Even when I took stats in college, we were permited our "stats" calculators for cumulative exam(finals). With this bomb dropped... how do you plan to study for the (I think you're taking finance) exam, Mstcrow?
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - mstcrow5429 - 07-05-2007
I'm taking finance and stats at some undetermined date. I'm not sure what I'll be able to do. I really don't think anyone at DSST has any clue about what their calculator guidelines mean (they largely seem to be unaware of their existence), so I'm just digging until I come up with something that makes sense. The guidelines for acceptable calculators, can be strictly interpreted to ban all calculators, but if it's decided that they do allow calculators, I don't see how they could be read to mandate 4-function only calculators. Especially considering you'd have to go back to the 1970s to find a 4-function calculator. None sold today (or for the past few decades) are so limited in capability. Even the most basic TI-108 many of us used in elementary school has percentage and square root keys.
Clearly, whomever wrote the guidelines was not a lawyer.
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - 4dkids - 07-05-2007
I am also preparing for finance. I am using studyfinance.com then IC until my interlibrary loan books come. Hope to test by end of July due to not having much study time.
DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - dhlvrsn - 07-06-2007
I think that perhaps we are making more out this than needs to be? The only key that my proctor looked for was something labeled as "program" or "PRGM". The testing center will decide what calculators are acceptable. They don't write down the model number and send it along with the test. That said if you are taking the online version you will only be allowed to use the online calc.
The study guides state:
"The use of non-programmable calculators is
permitted during the test. Scratch paper for
computations should be provided."