Before exam day
Your calculator is an essential part of CFA exam preparation. Learning to use it confidently helps you spend more time solving questions and less time working out which keys to press.
Before exam day, check that your model meets the CFA exam calculator policy and that you understand the rules for using it.
At a glance
What is the CFA exam calculator policy?
The CFA exam calculator policy permits only the Texas Instruments BA II Plus line and the Hewlett Packard 12C line, including the specific variants listed below. Candidates must bring their own approved calculator, may not share or borrow one during the exam, and should expect inspection before testing begins. Covers, keystroke cards, loose batteries, and a small screwdriver for a BA II Plus battery change are allowed; instruction manuals are not. Possessing or using any unauthorized calculator can void exam results, even if proctors did not identify it during the initial inspection. These requirements come from the CFA Institute calculator policy, which was updated on 12 January 2026.
Which Calculators Are Allowed in the CFA Exam?
CFA Institute authorizes two calculator families, including the versions below. A calculator with similar financial functions does not qualify unless it is an approved model.
Source: CFA Institute, CFA Exam Calculator Policy (updated 12 January 2026).
Texas Instruments
- BA II Plus
- BA II Plus Professional
Hewlett Packard
- HP 12C
- HP 12C Platinum
- HP 12C Platinum 25th Anniversary Edition
- HP 12C 30th Anniversary Edition
- HP 12C Prestige
Calculator Rules for Exam Day
Bring your own
The test centre will not lend you a calculator.
Do not share or borrow
Calculator sharing between candidates is prohibited.
Expect an inspection
Your device will be checked before the exam.
Follow staff instructions
Comply with directions throughout your appointment.
Preparation recommendation
Clear stored values, verify your preferred settings, and be ready to follow any calculator instructions in your appointment confirmation or from testing staff. This is preparation guidance; the official policy page does not currently state a separate memory-clearing rule.
Permitted Calculator Accessories
You may bring calculator covers, keystroke cards, and loose spare batteries. A small screwdriver is permitted if needed to replace BA II Plus batteries. Instruction manuals are prohibited in the testing room.
You may bring
Covers, keystroke cards, loose spare batteries, and a small screwdriver when needed for a BA II Plus battery change.
Leave outside the testing room
Calculator instruction manuals.
Should You Bring a Backup Calculator?
A familiar approved backup can reduce disruption if your primary calculator stops working. Before bringing one, check your current appointment instructions because the official calculator policy page lists approved models and accessories but does not explicitly address backup devices. Practise with the backup beforehand so you can switch confidently if testing staff permit it.
Important consequence
What Happens If You Bring an Unapproved Calculator?
Possessing or using an unauthorized calculator during the exam will result in your results being voided. Passing the initial inspection does not make an unapproved device acceptable.
TI BA II Plus or HP 12C: Which Should You Choose?
Choose a calculator you can operate accurately under time pressure. Before deciding, try representative financial questions on each device and notice how easily you can enter values, correct mistakes, and retrieve results.
TI BA II Plus
A practical starting point if you prefer familiar algebraic entry.
HP 12C range
Suits candidates comfortable with Reverse Polish Notation. The HP 12C Platinum also supports algebraic entry, so the range is not limited entirely to RPN.
Avoid switching models shortly before your exam unless you have enough time to practise.
How to Prepare Your Calculator Before the Exam
Build calculator practice into your study routine. Master the functions that appear repeatedly across the curriculum.
Time value of money
Present value, future value, payments, interest rates, and number of periods.
Cash flow analysis
Net present value and internal rate of return.
Bond calculations
Price and yield.
Statistics
Mean, standard deviation, and relevant regression functions.
Final device check
- Practise clearing stored values between questions.
- Learn how payment timing, interest-rate inputs, and display settings affect calculations.
- Check battery condition and key response before your appointment.
- After replacing a battery, test the calculator again.
- Rehearse clearing memory and checking settings until the process feels familiar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BA II Plus Professional necessary?+
Choose between the approved TI versions based on your familiarity and needs. Practising with your chosen device matters more than buying a model you have not learned to use.
What should I do if my calculator stops working?+
Notify testing personnel and follow their directions. A familiar, approved backup can help you continue without spending time troubleshooting your main calculator.
Should I buy a new calculator immediately before the exam?+
Give yourself time to test it and practise. Even a replacement of the same model should be checked before you rely on it.
Where can I check the latest calculator rules?+
Review the official CFA Institute Calculator Policy before your appointment. Use the official policy and your exam instructions as the final reference.
Open the official CFA Institute Calculator PolicyContinue preparing
Make calculator fluency part of your study plan
Practise with the same approved model you plan to carry so every keystroke feels routine before exam day.