I use to use a Casio financial calculator for the Finance modules that I took in the University. I thought I could use this calculator for the CFA exam.
To my horror 1 month before the exam, I realized that CFA Institute only restricts the use of 2 models: HP-12C and Texas Instruments BA-II.
I have no experience in using either HP-12C or Texas Instruments calculator so I based my decision on the price of the calculator and the positive comments of the users in Amazon. HP-12C is more expensive than TI BA-II. My conclusion is that it must be 'better'.
To my dismay & disappointment, HP-12C is a difficult calculator to use. There's no '=' which I am used to in the Casio financial calculator and the entry is somewhat different from what I am used to.
The last straw came when I couldn't get the answer for a calculation for a cash flow problem involving 'n' that is a fraction (not integer). I searched through the manual but couldn't find anything that can solve my problem. I punched in the data into the Casio calculator and, wala, I manage to get the answer. Maybe I didn't enter the data in the correct sequence in the HP-12C calculator. Maybe but at that time, I have no time to search through the internet on how to get it right.
After the exam, I sold the calculator and bought the Texas Instruments BA-II Professional which I read in Amazon feedback that the feel is more solid than BA-II.
TI BA-II Professional calculator is very similar to the Casio calculator that I was using in my school days - the way the data are entered into the calculator. I definitely prefer it over the HP-12C.
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