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Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Printable Version

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Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Fouad M. Kaadou - 08-23-2012

Hello,

I have the SAT test coming up in November (yes i'm in High School) and I have an HP-67 which I have grown very fond of, using it on a daily basis. I was wandering if it would be fine to use it in the SAT. I know they allow the newer models HP50g, HP35...

Thanks in Advance,

Fouad


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Fred Lusk - 08-23-2012

I found the calculator rules and restrictions on the SAT website:

http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat-subject/test-day/expect/calculators

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/calculus_ab/calc.html

I forsee three possible difficulties with the HP-67:

[1] It is so old that exam proctors will not recognize it and may disallow it because they aren't sure what it really is (i.e. it won't be on their list of approved calculators).

[2] It has a built-in I/O device (card reader). It doesn't matter that an HP-67 is NOT the device to use to steal exam questions. For that, I refer you to the case several years ago when someone gutted a TI graphing calc and installed a scanner to grab the questions from the professional license exam for electrical engineering.

[3] The batteries may not last for the entire exam and the proctors may not allow swapping batteries or plugging in.

I am a civil engineer. When I passed my EIT (Engineer-in-Training exam) in 1979 and my PE (professional engineer exam) in 1982 there wasn't much of a calculator policy because calculators were much more "primitive" than today. I can't even recall any restrictions on used of the HP-41. I brought three HP-55s to my EIT exam (mine, my dad's and my brother's…because of limited battery life) and an HP-41CV and an HP-34C to my PE exam. Nowadays, the graphing calcs are really computers.


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Matt Agajanian - 08-23-2012

I'm inclined with you, Fred to agree on this one. Besides, with the advent of not only graphing but also calculus, statistics and advanced symbolic manipulation as part of curriculum, SAT test question scope and calculator functionality, I would think that (although my choices, too) a 67, 34C, 41CX would be too limited in capability and functionality to meet up to SAT/AP testing criteria.

Edited: 23 Aug 2012, 10:26 p.m.


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Fouad M. Kaadou - 08-24-2012

Thanks guys.

What about a 41CL?

I'll probably end up with a 35s or 50G. Which would you recommend as HP veteran users in spite of the SAT test (in general).


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Thomas Radtke - 08-24-2012

If the 67 would be sufficient, I'd get a disposable 35s (don't know what a SAT test really is). It's cheaper and easier to use. If you want a new calculator just for the sake of it and can afford it, go for a 50g. Be sure it's allowed to use at the test.

Enjoy & good luck.


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Egan Ford - 08-24-2012

Quote:
November (yes i'm in High School) and I have an HP-67 which I have grown very fond of, using it on a daily basis.

How awesome is that!

Fouad, good luck on your tests. I would strongly recommend you bring an authorized/permitted backup--just in case.


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Matt Agajanian - 08-24-2012

I'll endorse that vote. A 50G would be so much more functional than the TI, Sharp and Casio models and, you'll get the benefits of RPN and programming flexibility of RPL too.

Although I am very fond of the 35S and also endorse that highly, the 50G will be a better investment in the long term.


Edited: 24 Aug 2012, 1:25 p.m.


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Fouad M. Kaadou - 08-24-2012

Thanks a lot guys.

I think i'll get a 50g and take it with the 67 to the test.

Fouad


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Matt Agajanian - 08-24-2012

You're welcome. Best wishes!

**** By the way, since you'll be investing in the 50G, might I suggest as a second (and third) investment, ordering copies of the 50G User's and Advanced Reference Manuals at hpcalc.org. Eric Reichlin's reproductions of the manuals are supreme quality and a very essential and beneficial resources. I highly recommend them.


Edited: 24 Aug 2012, 2:20 p.m.


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Peter Murphy (Livermore) - 08-24-2012

Current SAT rules on calculators are here:

http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/sat-reasoning/test-day/expect/calculators

They prohibit calculators that "make noise." That would appear to leave out the 50g, among others.

If you take a 50g to the test, though, see that the beep flag is not set.

And success on the tests themselves!




Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Egan Ford - 08-24-2012

Quote:
They prohibit calculators that "make noise." That would appear to leave out the 50g, among others.

That ruling is targeted at calculators that "talk" or have key-clicks that you cannot turn off. Think novelty calculators. The TI-83/84 is the most widely used calculator in the US by students taking the SAT. And it can also generate sound. The 50g should be just fine.


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - David Hayden - 08-24-2012

Note that there's a fairly steep learning curve on the 50g, so get it soon and start playing around with it. I'd avoid the printed manual that comes with it and go straight to the "guide" on the CD.

Note that right out of the box, it will run in algebraic and exact modes. You may want to switch to RPN and numeric mode it you're familiar with the 67.

VERY IMPORTANT: the swap function (AKA X<>Y) is the right arrow key, but it isn't labeled, and I think they don't mention this until appendix Q.17 of volume 8, or something like that.

Tim Wessman has written a pretty comprehensive quick start guide that walks you through all the features.

Good luck!
Dave


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - Tim Wessman - 08-24-2012

>I'd avoid the printed manual that comes with it and go straight to the "guide" on the CD.

Hey! The only guide in the box now is the QSG thing I wrote!

>Tim Wessman has written a pretty comprehensive quick start guide that walks you through all the features.

Ahhhh. I see. You are forgiven. :-)

TW


Re: Old HP Calculators on the SAT - David Tellet - 08-25-2012

From reading the rules it seems like the 67 would be okay, though battery life will be an issue. If you go with a new calculator make sure you are completely comfortable with it. During the SAT is no time to try to find functions on an unfamiliar keyboard or menu system. For that reason I would recommend the 35 S even if the 50 is a better investment for later studies. I think the 35S is closer to the 67 in key locations and you don't have to go to the menus for conversions and such.

On the other hand, if you can find a 41, that has the operators on the left like the 67 and is still considered one of (or the) best scientific calculators made.

Which ever route you take, I recommend getting it now and practice with it until you are completely comfortable with it.

Good luck to you.