Calculator

guidance
for CIMA
exams
Updated on 18 March 2022
About the Association
The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) is the most influential body of professional
®

accountants, combining the strengths of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA ) and The Chartered Institute of Management
® ®

Accountants (CIMA ) to power trust, opportunity and prosperity for people, businesses and economies worldwide. It represents
® ®

650,000 members and students in public and management accounting and advocates for the public interest and business
sustainability on current and emerging issues. With broad reach, rigor and resources, the Association advances the reputation,
employability and quality of CPAs, CGMA designation holders and accounting and finance professionals globally.
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Disclaimer: For information about obtaining permission to use this material other than for personal use, please email
copyright-permissions@aicpa-cima.com. All other rights are hereby expressly reserved. The information provided in this
publication is general and may not apply in a specific situation. Legal advice should always be sought before taking any
legal action based on the information provided. Although the information provided is believed to be correct as of the
publication date, be advised that this is a developing area. The Association, AICPA and CIMA cannot accept responsibility
for the consequences of its use for other purposes or other contexts.

The information and any opinions expressed in this material do not represent official pronouncements of or on behalf of
the AICPA, CIMA or the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. This material is offered with the
understanding that it does not constitute legal, accounting, or other professional services or advice. If legal advice or other
expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

The information contained herein is provided to assist the reader in developing a general understanding of the topics
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timeliness and accuracy of the information herein as of the date of issuance has been made, no guarantee is or can be
given regarding the applicability of the information found within any given set of facts and circumstances.
Contents

i Overview

1 Exam software calculators

2 Types of calculators

3 Pre-approved list of calculators

4 Updating the pre-approved

list of calculators

4 How do I submit a calculator

approval request?
 Overview
This guidance applies to all CIMA exams, both objective tests and case
®

study exams, where calculator use is applicable. Students are allowed to

take non-programmable calculators from a pre-approved list into exams
both online and in Pearson VUE test centres.

Calculators must be presented to the exam administrator before the exam.

Our pre-approved list below provides guidance on types of acceptable
calculators. It is not possible to provide an exhaustive list as new models
are launched regularly.

i Calculator guidance for CIMA exams

Exam software calculators

Health warning
It is your responsibility to check the functionality of your calculator
before you use it in our exams.

Please note:
 If you decide to bring a calculator to the exam, the exam
administrator will check that it matches a model from the
pre-approved list.
 You cannot bring this guidance into the exam room with you.

You do not have to bring a calculator to the exam. A The exam will start with a 15-minute tutorial where you
computer-based (on-screen) scientific calculator will will receive instructions on how to use the on-screen
be available as part of your exam. These calculators calculator and have the opportunity to practise using it.
are not programmable and therefore do not allow the
possibility of an unfair advantage in the exam. You can also get familiar with the computer-based
calculator on this tutorials page.

1
Types of calculators
Types of acceptable calculators C
 alculator functions on mobile phones
 Scientific calculators, including those with basic
 Calculators that do not have their internal
programming functions
power supply
 Calculators with standard memory functions
P
 rogrammable/graphing calculators
 Financial calculators
Features of a programmable calculator
 Solar-powered calculators The main difference between programmable and
non-programmable calculators is that there is no
Types of unacceptable calculators function button on non-programmable calculators.
 Alphanumeric keyboards (an alphanumeric display
of stored data — including text — equations or  Programmable calculators are capable of:
alphabetic formulae)
s
 toring text or alphanumeric data input by a user.
 Personal organisers
 storing, manipulating or graphing functions
 Checklists and memo pads entered in the symbolic form.

 Capability for external programming (whether by p

 erforming operations such as differentiation,
detachable modules or the insertion of cards, tape, definite integration, algebraic expressions,
barcodes or cassettes, or any other means) binomial expansion, symbolic differentiation and
the solution to a system of equations.
 Graphical display (which typically have large screens)
 external communication or Internet connectivity.
 S ymbolic algebraic capability

2 Calculator guidance for CIMA exams

Pre-approved list of calculators
All non-programmable calculators are permitted. The list of non-programmable calculators of the most popular
brands include Casio, Sharp, Texas Instruments and Hewlett Packard.

Casio — All fx Sharp – Most EL Texas Instruments Hewlett Packard –

models, except models, except – The following The following
graphing/graphic EL-9950 (which is scientific/financial scientific/financial
display models. a graphing model). models: TI ***** models: HP *****
Examples of current Examples of current
models are listed models are listed BAII PLUS 35s
below (this is not below (this is not 30XS 300s+
an exhaustive list) an exhaustive list) 34 Multiview 10s
fx-****. CASIO EL-**** 30XIIS 12C Platinum
fx-83 series & 30Xa 17bII
fx-85 series — are W506T
T15018SV 10bII
recommended W531TH
12C
for students with W531TG
dyslexia. W560X
W531X, XH, XG
991EX
506X
82EX
520X
570EX
531XH, XG
350EX
738FL
991ES PLUS
509X
95ES PLUS
501X
85ES PLUS
W506
82ES PLUS
W531
991MS
531WH
95MS
510RN
85MS
738F
82MS
733A Canon – The Citizen – All SDC
570MS
following model: models, as well as:
350MS
570ES PLUS F-789SGA SR-275
350ES PLUS SPC-888
FC-200V
FC-100V
100MS
MS-80VER
FX115MS
FX220 Plus
FX83GTX

You should refer to your calculator manufacturer’s handbook for full details on the functionality of your calculator.

3
Updating the pre-approved list
of calculators
CIMA reserves the right to review and update the list of permitted calculators twice a year. Students
and tuition providers are welcome to submit approval requests for calculator models not currently on the
pre-approved list above. However, such requests will be logged and only considered during the bi-annual
reviews in June and December.

How do I submit a calculator

approval request?
Please submit your request in writing to assessment.team@aicpa-cima.com.

Make sure you include the full name of the calculator model and model number.

You will receive an acknowledgement email from our Customer Contact support team. However,
please note your request will only be considered in the next bi-annual review in June or December.

For any more questions about CIMA exams please contact us here.

4 Calculator guidance for CIMA exams

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Founded by AICPA and CIMA, the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants powers leaders in accounting and finance around the globe.
© 2022 The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. All rights reserved. CIMA and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants are trademarks of The Chartered Institute
of Management Accountants and are registered in the United Kingdom and other countries. The design mark is a trademark owned by the Association of International Certified Professional
Accountants and licensed to CIMA. 2203-41585

6 Calculator guidance for CIMA exams