NCEES calculator policy · Checked September 24, 2026
Which calculators are allowed on the FE exam in 2026?
The approved families are Casio fx-115 and fx-991, Texas Instruments TI-30X and TI-36X, and the HP 33s and HP 35s. Check the full model name on your calculator. Being a scientific or non-programmable calculator alone does not make a model eligible.
NCEES-approved calculator list
The NCEES Exams page has a Calculator Policy button under Exam Resources. Its current list explicitly applies to 2026; NCEES reviews it annually. Recheck it for the year of your appointment.
| Manufacturer | Allowed model names | Examples within the rule |
|---|---|---|
| Casio | All models with fx-115 or fx-991 in the name | fx-115ES PLUS, fx-991EX, fx-991CW |
| Texas Instruments | All models with TI-30X or TI-36X in the name | TI-30XS MultiView, TI-36X Pro |
| Hewlett Packard | HP 33s and HP 35s only | The exact two models listed |
TI-84, TI-89 and TI-Nspire are not on this list. Neither are Casio fx-82/fx-9750 or HP Prime. Do not infer eligibility from a similar brand name, appearance or a retailer's description. These examples follow the official model-name rules; they are not an additional NCEES list.
What is the best calculator for your FE preparation?
If you already own an approved calculator and can use it reliably, start with that one. The useful comparison is how accurately you can enter your discipline's calculations, inspect the expression and recover from an input mistake. Changing models shortly before a timed exam adds a new set of menus to learn.
If choosing a model, first confirm its exact name is allowed. Then use its manufacturer's manual to check equation entry, fractions, scientific notation, statistics and any matrix or complex-number operations you plan to use. Capabilities differ even within an approved family. A built-in solver is useful only when you can form the equation, choose a meaningful root and check the result.
Use the six checks below on the actual device you will take. They test settings and input habits without requiring a particular button sequence or claiming one model is universally fastest. For electrical practice, add complex-number arithmetic; for Civil, pay particular attention to angles, unit conversion and statistical measures.
Six calculator practice checks with answers
These are original EngineerProof drills, not NCEES exam questions. Write down the expected units or magnitude first. Attempt the expression before opening the answer, then repeat with a changed input so you are practicing entry rather than recalling a display.
1. Degrees and radians
Calculate sin(30°), then calculate sin(π/6) in radian mode.
Check the answer and error
Both answers are 0.5. If they differ, check the angle mode and whether π was entered as a constant. Restore the mode required by the next problem; the setting persists after this check.
2. Scientific notation and parentheses
Calculate (6.4 × 10⁻³) / (8.0 × 10⁻⁵).
Check the answer and error
The result is 80: divide 6.4 by 8.0 and multiply by 10². Enter each power of ten with the calculator's exponent function, or group the entire denominator. A misplaced exponent or missing grouping can change the answer by orders of magnitude.
3. Sample versus population standard deviation
For the data 2, 4, 4, 6, find the mean, the population standard deviation and the sample standard deviation.
Check the answer and error
The mean is 4. The sum of squared deviations is 8. Population standard deviation is √(8/4) ≈ 1.4142; sample standard deviation is √(8/3) ≈ 1.6330. Check which statistic your menu returns and clear old data before starting a new set.
4. A small simultaneous system
Solve 2x + y = 7 and x − y = 2. Use an equation mode if your model has one, or solve by substitution.
Check the answer and error
x = 3 and y = 1. Add the equations to get 3x = 9, then substitute back into both original equations. When using a solver, a coefficient entered in the wrong column can return a precise answer to the wrong system.
5. Discounting with a consistent period
Find the present value of USD 1,000 received three years from now at an effective annual interest rate of 5%: 1,000 / (1.05)³.
Check the answer and error
The present value is approximately USD 863.84. It must be below USD 1,000 at a positive discount rate. Enter 5% as 0.05 when forming 1 + i, group the whole power in the denominator, and match the three periods to the annual rate.
6. Squared unit conversion
Convert an area of 250 mm² to m².
Check the answer and error
The area is 0.000250 m², or 2.50 × 10⁻⁴ m². Multiply by (10⁻³)² because both length dimensions change. Dividing by 1,000 only once converts a length factor, not an area.
Next, apply those habits to a complete Civil mathematics and statistics problem, an engineering economics problem, or free practice in your own FE discipline. The worked solutions let you check the model as well as the arithmetic.
Can you bring a spare calculator or use one onscreen?
The May 2026 NCEES Examinee Guide, page 8, allows one approved calculator in the testing room. Spare calculators and covers stay with your personal belongings. It also specifies an onscreen TI-30XS calculator. Practice with your chosen interface before relying on it during a timed sitting.
Before the appointment, verify the model name, power supply, display and angle settings, and read the current appointment instructions. A calculator is only one part of preparation: use the supplied electronic handbook during practice and check the assumptions behind each formula.
For a complete study sequence, see the Civil study guide or Other Disciplines guide. When you need a longer timed set, compare the full-length practice PDFs and previews.