NFSB
214 McLeod
Chäteauguay, QC
hsb.nfsb.qc.ca
Twitter: @hsbmedia
April 30th, 2015
Dear students and parents,
Back in 2013, in light of technological advances in the field of computing, the Ministère de l’éducation, du
loisir et du sport issued guidelines on the use of calculators (including Computers, tablets, electronic agendas
and calculators equipped with an alphanumeric keyboard (QWERTY or AZERTY)) during provincial exams.
These guidelines, provided with this letter, are to be followed by all high school students writing a math or
science exam at the NFSB.
We encourage students to take the time to read their calculator manuals and to learn how to disable programs
or erase their calculator’s memory. In spite of our teacher’s best intentions, it is impossible for them to be
aware of the programming details for every calculator or how to delete the information for all models, given
the number of models available. However, teachers are willing to assist in helping students determine how to
conform to the guidelines.
That being said, it remains the responsibility of the student to ensure that they are aware of how to delete formulas or disable functionalities. This is very important as that knowledge may be required before they enter
their exam room. At that point, four things may happen: 1- the calculator conforms to the guidelines and the
student is allowed in, 2- the calculator contains prohibited functions and the student is asked to deactivate
them, 3- the student is asked to erase the memory, and 4- should a prohibited program be imbedded within
the calculator, the calculator will be confiscated for the duration of the exam and no other calculator will be
provided. The use of such a calculator during an exam will be considered cheating.
As educators, we do our utmost to provide the proper environment for success to our students, but this cannot
be achieved without the support of all those involved. We therefore ask that you take the steps required to ensure that no one will be denied the opportunity to perform their exam due to the application of this guideline.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Kara Johnstone
Coordinator Educational Services
www.csnewfrontiers.qc.ca
MELS GUIDELINES ON CALCULATOR USAGE
Authorized calculators
Calculators, with or without graphic display, designed mainly to perform mathematical
calculations are permitted during formal examinations.
Unauthorized calculators and other devices
Calculators equipped with official calculation software are not permitted during Ministry
of Education exams. This type of software enables the calculator to factor algebraic
expressions. These models are permitted only on the condition that these features be
deactivated during the exam.
Computers, tablets, electronic agendas and calculators equipped with an alphanumeric
keyboard (QWERTY or AZERTY) are not permitted.
Peripherals
All calculator peripherals, such as user guides and memory sticks, are forbidden during
examinations. Accordingly, the use of expansion cards or chips, data libraries and software
programs are strictly prohibited. Communication between calculators is also proscribed
during exams.
Configuration of calculators prior to exams
All data and programs stored in the calculator’s memory must be deleted prior to each
examination. Therefore, students must be given the opportunity to learn how to wipe their
calculator’s memory clean.
Using a calculator on which data or programs are stored is considered as cheating.