RE: Calculator for the ABHP Examination

["Willison, James" <WillisonJ@ttnus.com>]

good advice, George.  Too bad a lot of candidates wont take it.
Candidates should be able to figure out what they need by just looking
at the old tests.   We really dont put anything new on the test just
different ways of looking at the same stuff.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vargo, George J [mailto:vargo@pnl.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, February 09, 1999 9:31 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Calculator for the ABHP Examination


It's that time of year again.  Based on many years of experience in
dealing with
the examination I advise you to get a relatively simple calculator.  In
many
respects less is more.  I've seen situations where people bring in way
more
calculator than they need and end up wasting a lot of time fiddling
around with
something they really don't know how to use.  My personal advise:
1)  Buy only what you need! (e.g., exponents, logs, trig functions;
elementary
statistical functions may be useful but are not a necessity;  despite
what Ken
Skrable says, you DO NOT need to do numerical integration -- expect a
rebuttal
from him on this point, but we politely agreee to disagree; you will
NEVER need
any programming capability).
2) Know how to use what you buy!  Make sure you know the various modes
and how
to reset the calculator back to its 'out of the box' configuration
3) Bring a backup!  At today's prices you can buy a calculator with more
capability than you need for under $20.  At this price, buying two is
only ~10%
of the exam cost -- cheap insurance.  If in doubt, replace the batteries
BEFORE
you leave home and make sure everything works properly.

The best calculator is one that does what you need, doesn't give you any
trouble, and doesn't cost a fortune.

This is my personal opinion and it has not been reviewed or endorsed by
the
ABHP.

George J. Vargo, Ph.D., CHP
International Nuclear Safety Program
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
509-375-6836; 509-375-2019 (fax)
vargo@pnl.gov
INSP web site:  http://atom.pnl.gov:2080

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