How to put your calculator in exam mode (and exit it)
fx-CG50: off (SHIFT AC/ON), hold cos and 7 and press AC/ON, then F1 (Yes). Exit: it ends after 12 hours, or connect it to a computer.TI-84 Plus CE: off, hold ◄ ► on, choose the options, OK. Exit: link it to another TI-84 Plus CE and send a file, or use TI Connect CE.TI-Nspire CX II: off, hold esc and home/on, choose the restrictions, Enter Press-to-Test. Exit: connect it to another TI-Nspire handheld.
In IB exams your GDC must be in exam mode for the whole paper: Casio calls it IB Examination Mode, TI calls it Press-to-Test. It goes on just before the exam, when your school tells you. Practise it once before the day, so you know what it looks like and what it turns off.
Exam mode on your calculator
Pick your calculator: the page remembers it next time.
How do I put the fx-CG50 in exam mode?
This is Casio's IB Examination Mode. Casio says Examination Mode 2 is not allowed in IB exams, so do not use that one.
- Turn the calculator off: SHIFT AC/ON.
- Hold down cos and 7, and press AC/ON.
- A confirmation screen appears: press F1 (Yes), then follow the screens (Casio's FAQ finishes with EXIT).
How do I know it is in IB Examination Mode?
- A green frame appears round the screen, with a flashing icon in the top right corner.
- Casio says the icon flashes more slowly about 15 minutes after the mode starts.
What does it turn off?
Casio lists what IB Examination Mode turns off: e-Activity, E-CON3/E-CON4, the memory, programming, Python, every Add-in application and vector calculations. Learn the vector questions by hand as well.
How do I exit exam mode on the fx-CG50?
- Wait: Casio says Examination Mode ends by itself after 12 hours, and the functions and settings on the calculator come back when it does.
- Or connect it to a computer with a USB data cable, open the calculator's drive, copy any file off it and eject it. A message on the calculator says it has left Exam Mode.
- Or link it with a 3-pin cable (sold separately) to a calculator that is not in Exam Mode. Casio's FAQ gives the keys for both calculators.
Source: Casio Education FAQ: Exam Mode on the fx-CG50 · Casio: Exam compliance (Exam Mode indicators) · Casio UK: Preparing students using the fx-CG50 in exams · Casio UK: Here's how your students can get the fx-CG50 exam-ready
How do I put the TI-84 Plus CE in Press-to-Test?
- Turn the calculator off.
- Press and hold ◄, ► and on together, then let go. The RESET OPTIONS screen appears.
- Set the options your exam needs (TI's screen includes the angle mode and some functions you can turn off), then choose OK.
- Press any key: the calculator is now in Press-to-Test.
How do I know it is in Press-to-Test?
- The status bar at the top of the screen turns blue and shows TEST MODE ENABLED.
What does it turn off?
TI says Press-to-Test turns off apps and programs and the Pic and Image variables, and deletes the variables stored in RAM and archive. The apps and programs come back when you leave Press-to-Test.
How do I exit exam mode on the TI-84 Plus CE?
- Connect it to another TI-84 Plus CE with a unit-to-unit USB cable and send any file to it from the other calculator.
- Or connect it to a computer and use TI Connect CE, which can take connected CE calculators out of exam mode.
Doing the Press-and-hold sequence again and choosing OK on the Reset Verification screen only clears what was made during the exam: the calculator stays in Press-to-Test.
Source: TI: Press-to-Test for CE Graphing Calculators (PDF) · TI-84 Plus CE exam prep guide: Reset Memory & Press-to-Test · TI knowledge base 34886: Press-to-Test on the TI-84 Plus CE · TI knowledge base 37355: TI-84 Plus CE Press-to-Test
How do I put the TI-Nspire CX II in Press-to-Test?
- Turn the handheld off.
- Press and hold esc and home/on until the Press-to-Test screen appears.
- Choose the restrictions your exam needs, then select Enter Press-to-Test.
How do I know it is in Press-to-Test?
- The LED on the top of the handheld flashes, even when the handheld is off: green when every restriction is on, yellow when one or more has been cleared.
- My Documents shows only the Press-to-Test folder.
What does it turn off?
TI says your documents, folders and Scratchpad data are hidden, not deleted, and come back when you leave Press-to-Test. The settings go back to their defaults while you are in it. You cannot change the restrictions without leaving and starting again, and turning the handheld off does not end Press-to-Test.
How do I exit exam mode on the TI-Nspire CX II?
- Connect it to another TI-Nspire handheld with a unit-to-unit cable.
- Open My Documents, press doc and choose Press-to-Test → Exit Press-to-Test.
Leaving Press-to-Test deletes every document made during the session, and brings back your old documents and settings.
Source: TI-Nspire Press-to-Test Guidebook (PDF) · TI-Nspire CX II exam guide: Reset Memory & Press-to-Test
Questions
How do I exit exam mode on the fx-CG50?
Wait: Casio says Examination Mode ends by itself after 12 hours, and the functions and settings on the calculator come back when it does. Or connect it to a computer with a USB data cable, open the calculator's drive, copy any file off it and eject it. A message on the calculator says it has left Exam Mode. Or link it with a 3-pin cable (sold separately) to a calculator that is not in Exam Mode. Casio's FAQ gives the keys for both calculators.
How do I exit exam mode on the TI-84 Plus CE?
Connect it to another TI-84 Plus CE with a unit-to-unit USB cable and send any file to it from the other calculator. Or connect it to a computer and use TI Connect CE, which can take connected CE calculators out of exam mode.
How do I exit exam mode on the TI-Nspire CX II?
Connect it to another TI-Nspire handheld with a unit-to-unit cable. Open My Documents, press doc and choose Press-to-Test → Exit Press-to-Test.
How do I know my fx-CG50 is in exam mode?
A green frame appears round the screen, with a flashing icon in the top right corner. Casio says the icon flashes more slowly about 15 minutes after the mode starts.
How do I know my TI-84 Plus CE is in exam mode?
The status bar at the top of the screen turns blue and shows TEST MODE ENABLED.
How do I know my TI-Nspire CX II is in exam mode?
The LED on the top of the handheld flashes, even when the handheld is off: green when every restriction is on, yellow when one or more has been cleared. My Documents shows only the Press-to-Test folder.
More calculator help for exam day
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Sources
Every keystroke on this page comes from the manufacturer's own guide for that model, and every exam rule from the exam board's own document; each section names its source. Where we could not find a step in one of those documents, we have left it out. IB Math Revision is independent and is not connected to Casio, Texas Instruments or any exam board.