Golden rules for the SENASA exam calculator

The eight exam-calculator bugs that give a wrong result with no warning, and how to avoid each one. Print it and keep it next to your computer.

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1. 1. Never add a sin, cos or tan as the second number

   NOT like this 1 + 30 sin = → 10.5

   Like this 30 sin + 1 = → 1.5

2. 2. Do not use M+ with a sin, cos or tan result: use MS

   NOT like this 2 M+ 30 sin M+ MR → 20.5

   Like this 30 sin * 1 = M+ → adds properly

3. 3. After a subtraction, put the multiplication in parentheses

   NOT like this 10 - 3 * 2 + 1 = → 3

   Like this 10 - ( 3 * 2 ) + 1 = → 5

4. 4. The sign goes AFTER the number

   NOT like this 8 * +/- 2 = → 16

   Like this 8 * 2 +/- = → -16

5. 5. Always press * : there is no implied multiplication

   NOT like this 2 π · 5 ( 2 + 3 ) = → 3.14… · 5

   Like this 2 * π = · 5 * ( 2 + 3 ) = → 6.28… · 25

6. 6. Wrong operation? Press C: it is not replaced

   NOT like this 2 + * 3 = → 8

   Like this C and start again → —

7. 7. sin, cos and tan are rounded to 4 decimals

   NOT like this 1 tan * 60 = → 1.05

   Like this true value: 1.047 → pick the closest answer

8. 8. tan 90 gives no error: it gives a huge number

   NOT like this 90 tan → 16331239353195370

   Like this check the angle → —

Three tricks that save time

• Mistyped a number? Press ( and type the right one: 5 + 23 ( 24 = gives 29.
• Before using M+, press MC: the C key does not clear the memory and there is no «M» on the screen.
• Number first, function second: 30 sin, not sin 30. Always in degrees.

Checked key by key against the official SENASA demo calculator. PilotKeys is an independent website, with no connection to SENASA or AESA. Practise each one at pilotkeys.com.