Can I use a calculator on IB Chemistry Paper 1?

Yes, under the syllabus first assessed in 2025, a calculator is required for both Paper 1A and Paper 1B. This differs from the previous Chemistry course, where calculators were not allowed on Paper 1. The official specimen papers also require a clean Chemistry data booklet for both parts. You should keep the same approved calculator available as you move from Paper 1A to Paper 1B. Older websites and past papers may describe the former rule, so always prepare according to the current syllabus.

Is a scientific calculator enough for IB Chemistry?

A permitted scientific calculator is normally enough if it includes scientific notation, powers, roots, logarithms, inverse logarithms, and exponentials. These functions cover calculations involving moles, gases, energetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, and kinetics. A graphing calculator may offer convenient answer recall and equation-solving tools, but those features are not a substitute for writing the chemical method. Confirm that your particular scientific calculator complies with current IB rules rather than assuming that every model is accepted. Familiarity and reliable entry are more valuable than advanced features you rarely use.

Can I use a TI-84 Plus in the IB Chemistry exam?

TI-84 Plus models appear among the permitted examples in recent IB calculator guidance. However, stored memory, archived variables, and applications must be handled according to the IB's current preparation instructions. The required procedure may differ from the calculator's ordinary test mode, so do not configure it from memory. Ask your teacher or coordinator to supervise the reset and confirm the exact model before the examination. Once approved, the TI-84 Plus is suitable for Chemistry calculations involving logarithms, exponentials, statistics, and scientific notation.

Are CAS calculators allowed in IB Chemistry?

Some newer CAS-capable calculator models may be permitted only when CAS functionality is disabled using the prescribed examination configuration. Older CAS models, including certain TI-Nspire CAS devices and the TI-89, are prohibited under recent guidance. Permission therefore depends on the exact model, operating system, and exam-mode settings rather than the word CAS alone. Students must not attempt to disable features informally or assume that a calculator accepted elsewhere is IB-compliant. Your coordinator should verify and configure the device using the current Programme Resource Centre instructions.

Can I bring my own Chemistry data booklet into the exam?

You may use a clean Chemistry data booklet, but you must follow your school's instructions about the copy provided for the examination. A personal revision copy containing highlights, tabs, notes, or handwritten formulas is not acceptable. During revision, annotated copies can help you learn where information appears, but timed practice should eventually use a clean copy. Learn to find constants, equations, spectral data, and electrode potentials from the headings rather than relying on annotations. This makes your practice conditions closer to the real examination.

What should I do if my calculator stops working during the exam?

Raise your hand immediately and explain the problem to an invigilator without communicating with another candidate. Do not borrow or exchange a calculator unless the invigilator specifically authorizes the arrangement. Schools determine their contingency procedures, so ask before the examination whether an approved spare will be available. Reduce the risk by charging rechargeable models fully or installing fresh batteries before the exam. You should also know how to perform essential calculations manually or estimate results so that a temporary device problem does not stop all progress.

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Best IB Chemistry Exam Calculator and Tools

IB Chemistry Resource Roundups IB Exam Tips

• 7 Oct 2026•8

Best IB Chemistry Exam Calculator and Tools

Join 650k+ students breezing through the IBReady to breeze through the IB?

Best IB Chemistry Exam Calculator and Tools | RevisionDojo

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Best IB Chemistry Exam Calculator and Tools

IB Chemistry Resource Roundups IB Exam Tips

• 7 Oct 2026•8

An IB Chemistry exam calculator is required for Paper 1A, Paper 1B, and Paper 2 under the syllabus first assessed in 2025. For most students, the best option is a familiar approved scientific calculator or the graphing calculator already used in IB Mathematics.

Permission depends on the exact model, operating system, stored content, and examination settings. Your IB coordinator must verify the current guidance before the examination, even if your model appears on an older approved list.

What calculators are allowed in IB Chemistry?

The official IB exam calculator policy explains that not every calculator, application, or program is suitable for examinations. Detailed model-level instructions are supplied to schools through the IB Programme Resource Centre.

Recent publicly indexed guidance includes these examples, although permitted models and required settings can change:

Calculator family	Recent examples	Important condition
Texas Instruments	TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus models	Memory and unauthorized applications must be cleared as instructed
TI-Nspire	CX and CX II non-CAS models	The required operating system and Press-to-Test settings must be used
Selected TI-Nspire CAS	Certain CX II CAS models	CAS must be disabled using the prescribed configuration
Casio graphing calculators	fx-9750GIII, fx-9860GIII, fx-CG50, and specified equivalents	Approved software and Examination Mode for IB may be required
HP Prime and NumWorks	Supported current models	Correct firmware and IB exam mode are required
Scientific calculators	Compliant non-programmable models	Powers, roots, logarithms, exponentials, and scientific notation are recommended

This table does not guarantee permission for an individual device. Ask your coordinator to confirm your exact model and software version for your examination session.

Which IB Chemistry exam calculator is best?

A reliable scientific calculator is sufficient for most Chemistry calculations. It should handle brackets, scientific notation, powers, roots, logarithms, inverse logarithms, and exponentials efficiently.

A graphing display calculator, or GDC, is also suitable when approved and correctly configured. Its main benefit is familiarity if you already use it in Mathematics, since Chemistry rarely requires advanced graphing functions.

Best simple option: a permitted scientific calculator used throughout the course.
Best shared Math and Chemistry option: an approved TI-84 Plus, Casio fx-CG50, or equivalent school-supported GDC.
Best for an existing TI-Nspire user: an approved model with the required Press-to-Test configuration.

Do not change calculators shortly before the examination merely to gain more functions. Speed comes from familiarity with brackets, menus, answer recall, and exponent entry.

Calculators and tools you cannot use

Recent guidance identifies the TI-89, TI Voyage 200, older TI-Nspire CAS devices, and Casio ClassPad or fx-CG500 models as prohibited. Devices with unrestricted wireless access or unblocked prohibited functionality are also unsuitable.

You must not store notes, formulas, data, programs, or applications that replace examinable knowledge. Schools check devices and clear memory where required, but you should prepare yours beforehand under teacher supervision.

Phones, smartwatches, tablets, and online calculator applications cannot replace an approved physical calculator. A prohibited device in the examination room may create an academic integrity issue even if it is not used.

Other required IB Chemistry tools

The official specimen examinations require a calculator and a clean Chemistry data booklet for Paper 1A, Paper 1B, and Paper 2. This differs from the course last assessed in 2024, when Paper 1 was completed without a calculator.

The booklet provides constants, equations, periodic data, spectra, and electrode potentials. An annotated revision copy cannot be taken into the examination. Learn its layout with the RevisionDojo Chemistry data booklet reference, then follow your coordinator's instructions about the official copy.

Bring normal writing equipment and any stationery specified by your school, including a ruler for graphical work.

How to use your calculator efficiently

Enter complete expressions

Use brackets around full numerators and denominators. This reduces errors involving negative signs, division, and powers of ten.

Master logarithms and exponentials

Acid-base problems commonly use pH = -log[H+]. Practise moving from concentration to pH and back without searching through calculator menus.

Avoid premature rounding

Keep unrounded intermediate values by using answer recall. Round the final result according to the question, significant figures, or precision of the supplied data.

Show chemical working

Write the equation, substitute values with units, and then calculate. A calculator display alone does not show your method and may not earn method marks if the final answer is incorrect.

Check reasonableness

Estimate the expected sign and order of magnitude. Concentrations cannot be negative, while an exothermic enthalpy change normally has a negative sign.

Practise with the IB Chemistry Questionbank using your real calculator and a clean booklet. The guide to using the Chemistry data booklet also explains formula selection and unit conversion.

Pre-exam calculator checklist

Confirm the exact model with your coordinator.
Install approved software before the examination.
Learn the required exam mode with your teacher.
Remove prohibited notes, programs, variables, and applications.
Charge the device or install fresh batteries.
Test logarithms, scientific notation, brackets, and answer recall.
Complete timed papers with the same calculator and a clean booklet.

Conclusion

The best IB Chemistry exam calculator is an approved, dependable device whose essential functions you can use confidently. Scientific calculators are normally sufficient, while permitted GDCs are practical when they are already familiar and correctly configured.

Verify permission through your coordinator and practise showing equations, substitutions, units, and sensible rounding. RevisionDojo's IB Chemistry resource hub, Questionbank, data booklet reference, and Jojo AI can support realistic exam practice.

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What calculators are allowed in IB Chemistry?

Recent publicly indexed guidance includes these examples, although permitted models and required settings can change:

Calculator family	Recent examples	Important condition
Texas Instruments	TI-83 Plus and TI-84 Plus models	Memory and unauthorized applications must be cleared as instructed
TI-Nspire	CX and CX II non-CAS models	The required operating system and Press-to-Test settings must be used
Selected TI-Nspire CAS	Certain CX II CAS models	CAS must be disabled using the prescribed configuration
Casio graphing calculators	fx-9750GIII, fx-9860GIII, fx-CG50, and specified equivalents	Approved software and Examination Mode for IB may be required
HP Prime and NumWorks	Supported current models	Correct firmware and IB exam mode are required
Scientific calculators	Compliant non-programmable models	Powers, roots, logarithms, exponentials, and scientific notation are recommended

This table does not guarantee permission for an individual device. Ask your coordinator to confirm your exact model and software version for your examination session.

Which IB Chemistry exam calculator is best?

Best simple option: a permitted scientific calculator used throughout the course.
Best shared Math and Chemistry option: an approved TI-84 Plus, Casio fx-CG50, or equivalent school-supported GDC.
Best for an existing TI-Nspire user: an approved model with the required Press-to-Test configuration.

Do not change calculators shortly before the examination merely to gain more functions. Speed comes from familiarity with brackets, menus, answer recall, and exponent entry.