Calculators That Are Permissible
This policy restricts allowable calculators to certain Texas Instruments (TI) models. More specifically, only calculators within the TI-30 series are permitted. Examples of allowable calculators include the TI-30Xa, TI-30X IIS, TI-34 II, and TI-36X. However, any calculator in the TI-30 series is permissible.

Calculators That Are Not Permissible
Calculators from any manufacturer other than TI (e.g., Casio, Sharp, and Hewlett-Packard) are prohibited, regardless of their similarity in appearance and/or capability to a TI-30. Also, no other TI calculator (e.g., TI-25X) will be permitted, even if it is less powerful than a TI-30 model.

Why This Policy Is Necessary
The National Board adopted this new calculator policy for several reasons. First, the distinction between a handheld calculator and a handheld computer is blurring. As handheld computers jeopardize test security, greater assurance is needed that candidates use only a permissible computational aid. Second, proctors have had difficulty in identifying calculators with features and capabilities that violated prior policy. This difficulty is the result of a wide variety of manufacturers and models, many of which have hidden or esoteric features. Third, many candidates have expressed uncertainty regarding which calculators are permissible. Finally, the combination of these dilemmas could create inequities among candidates, in addition to jeopardizing test security.

In order to continue allowing calculators on its exams, the Board believed that it was necessary to restrict use to a limited number of specific models. This restriction eliminates the concern and confusion among proctors and candidates regarding permissible devices. Standardizing on one manufacturer also facilitates proctor checking-in of candidates at the beginning of each test session, and monitoring throughout the test. The Board is better able to monitor rapid industry changes in maintaining reasonable and effective policy, as well as compliance.

Why The Board Is Standardizing On TI Calculators
TI was selected because it satisfies several criteria. First, TI calculators, especially the TI-30X IIS, are the most popular among candidates, by a wide margin. Based on calculator registration for the August 2000 Part I examination, TI calculators were used by more candidates than all of the other manufacturers’ calculators combined. Standardizing on the most popular brand minimizes the number of candidates needing to purchase and become familiar with another calculator. Second, TI calculators are widely available and in good supply. They can be purchased in department, electronics, and office supply stores, college bookstores, and through many sources via mail-order catalogues and the Internet. Third, TI calculators are low-priced, and frequently discounted.

Calculators in the TI-30 series have the trigonometric and logarithmic capabilities that are needed for some Optics test items. TI-30 models differ with regard to power (standard battery vs. solar), display (1 vs. 2 lines; scrolling), cursor control keys for formula editing, number of memory registers, metric conversion, and other features. Each of these features is permissible, as they have been in recent years. Although the new policy is restrictive with regard to allowable calculator models, there has been no reduction in the amount of permissible computational capability.

This new calculator policy is applicable to the Part I and Part II examinations only. Calculators are not allowed, nor are they needed, on the other National Board examinations; for Part II they are useful for only a limited number of items. Proctors will be verifying calculator models during candidate check-in at the test center, and periodically during the test. Again, no calculator, other than one in the TI-30 series, is permitted, regardless of its similarity in appearance and/or capability to a TI-30 series model.

How This Policy Was Developed
This change in policy was developed by the Optics (i.e., Theoretical, Ophthalmic, and Physiological) Subcommittee of the Part I (Basic Science) examination. The Optics section of Part I is the most quantitative of any portion within the National Board 3-part examination sequence; therefore, the Board periodically calls upon the Optics Subcommittee for recommendations on calculator policy change, if any is warranted. The Subcommittee recommendation was then discussed and endorsed by the Part I Examination Council, and subsequently by the Board of Directors.

The Board acknowledges and regrets that some candidates will need to purchase and become familiar with another calculator. Although, a strict limitation of permissible calculators was needed for continued calculator allowance, minimizing any inconvenience and additional cost to candidates were serious considerations that influenced the resultant policy. The Board is pleased with the new policy, for it maintains the allowance of a calculator on Part I and Part II, with no reduction in computational power.

By adopting this policy, the National Board makes no judgment, opinion, guarantee, endorsement, or warranty regarding any type of calculator. NBEO has no financial or other interests or relationships with any calculator manufacturer or related supplier. This policy is adopted solely to allow candidates computational assistance appropriate for the respective examinations, and to preserve examination integrity and security.