- CFA Exams
- Forums
- Study Lounge
- Topic: Which calculator to use for the CFA exam?
| Author | Topic: Which calculator to use for the CFA exam? |
|---|---|
| Krissy @2003-12-17 19:27:40 |
Hi, I'm just wondering which calculator to use. Has anybody used the texas instrument or the HP 12C or both? What is your impression on these calculators?
Thanks, Kristel |
| csoni @2003-12-17 19:53:24 |
Use Texas instrument. It is much more userfriendly . |
| photoshop @2004-01-02 05:28:06 |
I also read that TI's machine is more similiar to traditional method. I have tried the HP model, wonder why they should use so complicated way to operate. |
| chirag @2004-01-02 11:40:04 |
definately use TI. HP is in reverse polish method which is very difficult to use. the logic is crazy, eg. for 2+3 u have to do 2 enter, 3 enter then plus sign!!!! i sat dec 2003 in toronto and nearly everyone i saw had TI. |
| photoshop @2004-01-04 01:48:40 |
Great! I have a friend from wall street with the calculator of HP, and i heard a big i-banking here also use HP. Wonder if professional staff prefer HP to TI. |
| Prasan @2004-01-06 13:43:09 |
TI is easier to use, I use TI and also have HP. |
| patas @2004-01-11 18:44:38 |
I have talked to several CFAs in the I-Banking sector, and they have told me TI is easier/flimsy, but HP is all about prestige.
I really did not know which one to buy, because remember, the one you choose, is the one you will use forever to solve your real-life financial problems. One of the I-bankers went straight down and told me that he would be very suspicious of someone showing up to close a deal and coming with a cheap-looking calculator. TI has that image. The TI is deemed to be for the regular Joe, whereas the HP is for the brainy Joe. I have chosen the HP, but not for the reasons above, which they seem very childish to me. But because I used the HP48GX my entire Engineering Bachelors degree. I am used to Reverse Polish notation. And is not really that difficult, is a matter of getting used to it. That will take three or four days. In the manual everything is clearly explained, very well organized. It has a comprenhensive section that comes with lots of exercises of Bonds, Morgtage, Portfolios Balancing, etc etc. Is more difficult to understand all those complex side effects coming with an increase/decrease in aggregate supply. Another issue might be the price... But you have already invested more than 1,000 USD for this CFA thing... would 30usd plus/minus make a difference in your ROI? I do not think so. |
| mondschrein @2004-05-14 07:21:50 |
cfx 9850 gb plus or fc 100 casio - they are just too good |
| Fingon @2004-05-31 11:07:18 |
I'm partial to my old TI because I've had it since college (six years ago). I majored in Finance and they gave us the choice between HP and TI, but I purchased both...eventually used the TI exclusively because of its ease of use. |
| eaglei @2004-08-05 05:11:31 |
Please help - can the TI calculate standard deviation or variance. I am used to a Casio FC100, which is awesome. If the TI cant do sd, then I might have to go with the HP. Cant be bothered manually calculating sd! |
CFA Discussion Topic: Which calculator to use for the CFA exam?
I just wanted to share the good news that I passed CFA Level I!!! Thank you for your help - I think the online question bank helped cut the clutter and made a positive difference.
