Should I bring two calculators to exam?

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Hi, is two calculators allowed during level 1 exam? Both calculators are Texas Instruments BA Plus II
 
I am just worried that my current BA II calculator will run out of power during the exam.
How long will the batteries of BA II last? Also, what kind of batteries does that calculator use?
 
CFA_Rookie wrote:I am just worried that my current BA II calculator will run out of power during the exam.
How long will the batteries of BA II last? Also, what kind of batteries does that calculator use?
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I don’t know. Open it up and see.
 
CFA_Rookie wrote:
I am just worried that my current BA II calculator will run out of power during the exam.
How long will the batteries of BA II last? Also, what kind of batteries does that calculator use?
Click to expand...
unless you’re worried about the calculator actually breaking, you’re also permitted to bring an extra battery. I just taped one to the back of my calculator.
 
The battery life on those calculators is estimated at 1500 hours.
The estimated study time for all CFA exams is 900 hours. If you use the calculator for 1/3 of that (which is pretty heavy use of the calculator), you’ll use about 20% of its battery.
If you’re still worried about running out of power, then change the batteries a week before the exam. You don’t want to change batteries during the exam. Changing batteries on the “regular “BA2+ is really annoying and time consuming.
 
whilst its unlikely that the battery is going to run out in the time it takes to pass the 3 levels I think its best to take a 2nd one with you anyway.
Can you imagine how it would feel on exam day if you get to the end of the ethics questions and move onto quants, reach for your calculator and it didn’t switch on. I genuinely think I would cry.
 
When in doubt, bring the second one. There’s no reason after all the studying and hard work you’ve put in to take any technical risks.
 
PassedTense wrote:
When in doubt, bring the second one. There’s no reason after all the studying and hard work you’ve put in to take any technical risks.
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Word. For Level 3, I studied about 600 hours. I took four pens and five pencils and two calculators and three copies of my ticket. I thought “If I fail after all this, I don’t want it to be because of a stupid, preventable reason (my pen ran out of ink or my calculator died).”
 
bring 2. If they literally both fail on you on exam day, then chalk it up to god and divine intervention.
 
How does this compare with the chances that lightening will strike at all exam halls and the exams called off on 7th Dec?
Probably not far off!…..providing you are a new starter (like me) and you’ve got a new / newish calculator that’s not been “abused”. However my advice will be ……
…….the fact that you are concerned suffices that you should go with your instinct of two calculators, after all more is better than less (in most things at least!). ……….and by doing so you will abide by Rule 1 of good exam candidacy…….that is
…….”study hard!…….solve!!!………frequent tension breaks!………sleep well!…ENTER EXAM ROOM IN PEACE (with 2 calculators)!……”
Good luck!
 
Greenman72 wrote:
PassedTense wrote:
When in doubt, bring the second one. There’s no reason after all the studying and hard work you’ve put in to take any technical risks.
Click to expand...
Word. For Level 3, I studied about 600 hours. I took four pens and five pencils and two calculators and three copies of my ticket. I thought “If I fail after all this, I don’t want it to be because of a stupid, preventable reason (my pen ran out of ink or my calculator died).”
Click to expand...
But wha’ts the probability that these things will happen?
 
Don’t know. Didn’t want to find out the hard way.
Like itera said, if both calculators and all four pens and five pencils fail, then it’s just divine intervention. It’s gods way of telling me not to become a Cfa charter holder.
 
Bring them both for sure. Not only because of battery but you don’t know what might happen. My ex dropped mine and ruined it (cracked screen, bought 2 more to replace that one)… you don’t want a freak accident like that happening and ruining your efforts.
 
hpracing007 wrote:Bring them both for sure. Not only because of battery but you don’t know what might happen. My ex dropped mine and ruined it (cracked screen, bought 2 more to replace that one)… you don’t want a freak accident like that happening and ruining your efforts.
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If your ex is particularly vindictive, bring three.
 
Yes you can carry more than 1 calculators, batteries, pencils all the items allowed by CFA institute.
 
During a mock exam last Spring, my calculator froze while performing a long iteration. Eventually, I discovered that I could pull out the batteries and reinstall them. I have never had another issue with that calculator, but now I always carry a spare with me - $40 well spent, in my opinion.
 
i consider myself quite careful with my 2 calculators, 5 pencils, a rubber and a sharpener and a watch but I always get a giggle at the people that turn up with like 30 pencils, 6 rubbers etc.
or on the flipside, there are the people that turn up with 2 non permitted calculators and no pencils and spent the hour before the exam casually asking people if they can borrow theirs. for level 1 that would maybe be understandable but for level 2!
this June the proctors were freaking out at people who had 2 exam tickets though so I probably wouldn’t recommend it.
 
gringo_bob wrote:
i consider myself quite careful with my 2 calculators, 5 pencils, a rubber and a sharpener and a watch but I always get a giggle at the people that turn up with like 30 pencils, 6 rubbers etc.
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6 rubbers…. must have been one hell of a post-exam party.
 
^ lol. or eraser for americans!
over here we call the other one johnys. no idea why.
 
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