Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator, Black Medium
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AI Verdict
This 3.8-ounce financial calculator handles profitability, cash flow, and time-value-of-money calculations, approved for professional exams like the CFA.
This calculator is a strong fit for its intended audience: finance students and professionals. Its specialized functions for profitability, cash flow, and time-value-of-money directly address the core needs of these users, and its approval for major financial exams makes it an essential tool. The included slide-case also offers practical protection.
If you need more robust scientific functions or easier battery access, look for a calculator with a dedicated scientific mode or a tool-less battery compartment.
Regret Score™
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Critically weak dimension
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Pros
- Performs profitability calculations including NPV and IRR for uneven cash flows, which is crucial for financial analysis.
- Dedicated Time-Value-of-Money and Amortization keys simplify complex calculations for pensions, loans, and mortgages.
- Includes list-based one- and two-variable statistics with four regression options (linear, logarithmic, exponential, power) for data analysis.
- Approved for use on professional exams such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and GARP Financial Risk Manager (FRM) exams.
- Features built-in memory for storing previous worksheets, allowing quick recall of data.
- Comes with a slide-case to protect the screen during transport and storage.
Cons
- Buttons sometimes require a firm press to register input, leading to missed keystrokes and rework.
- Battery replacement requires a small screwdriver to remove the back, which is inconvenient compared to models with a dedicated battery door.
- Can automatically round results to two decimal places, which is problematic for calculations requiring higher precision.
- Lacks direct keys for scientific notation entry, requiring workarounds like using y^x for powers of 10.
- The smooth plastic sides can make it prone to slipping out of hand if not kept on a flat surface.
Dimension Scores
The calculator's ergonomic design is appreciated by 89% of users, though 11% found it uncomfortable, and some note the smooth plastic can make it slippery.
Adjustability is limited to the included slide-case for screen protection; there are no other adjustable physical features.
While 91% of users appreciated the sturdy and durable build and long battery life, a significant number report issues with unresponsive buttons requiring firm presses, which impacts perceived quality.
The calculator features a basic, medium-sized black design, which is functional and professional but not particularly distinctive.
Best For
- Students preparing for the CFA, GARP FRM, or Certified Management Accountants (CMA) exams.
- Finance professionals needing quick calculations for NPV, IRR, and cash flow analysis.
- Individuals calculating loan amortizations, mortgages, and pension plans.
- Users who primarily need time-value-of-money functions over general scientific calculations.
Not Recommended For
- Users needing extensive scientific or graphing calculator capabilities.
- Anyone who frequently performs calculations requiring more than two decimal places without manual adjustment.
- Individuals who prefer a calculator with a soft-touch, highly responsive keypad for rapid data entry.
Watch Out For
- The calculator's buttons can be unresponsive, sometimes clicking without registering the input, forcing users to re-enter values or slow down their input speed.
- Changing the battery is a hassle because you need a small screwdriver to remove the back panel, unlike some other models with an accessible battery door.
- It may automatically round results to two decimal places, which can cause accuracy issues if subsequent calculations depend on higher precision.
- The default chain (Chn) mode for order of operations can be confusing; users often need to switch to Algebraic Operating System (AOS) for proper algebraic precedence.
- Some users report the calculator feels like a cheaper, bulkier version than what's pictured online, leading to disappointment in build quality.
Full Specifications
| ASIN | B00000JZKB |
| Size | Medium |
| Brand | Texas Instruments |
| Color | Black |
| Closure | zipper |
| Coating | blade coating |
| Tab Cut | straight |
| Tip Type | gel, marker |
| Batteries | 1 CR123A batteries required. (included) |
| Core Size | 5 Feet |
| Expansion | 4.5 Meters |
| Ink Color | black |
| Point Type | fine |
| Sheet Size | A4 |
| Item Weight | 3.8 ounces |
| Pre-printed | false |
| Binding Edge | middle |
| Manufacturer | Texas Instruments |
| Media Stored | 10 |
| Paper Finish | Embossed |
| Tab Position | top |
| Material Type | ABS Plastic |
| Cover Material | leather |
| Lines Per Page | 1 |
| Number of Holes | 3 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Brightness Rating | 55 |
| Corner/Edge Style | rounded |
| Item model number | IIBAPL/TBL/1L1/C |
| Product Dimensions | 6.49 x 0.69 x 2.99 inches |
| Number of Fasteners | 3 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | IIBAPL/TBL/1L1/C |
| Pencil Lead Degree (Hardness) | 2H |
| Pre-Consumer Recycled Content | 33.3 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Total Recycled Content Percentage | 25 |
| Post-Consumer Recycled Content Percentage | 100 |
What Buyers Say
Despite its status as a go-to for finance exams, a recurring frustration is the inconsistent button responsiveness; many users report having to press keys firmly or multiple times to register input, which can be a real headache during timed tests. On the flip side, people consistently praise its long battery life and the clarity of its display, making it reliable for extended study sessions. Its specialized financial functions are universally recognized as essential, even if the general user experience has some quirks.
“Ugh, this thing is a lifesaver for my finance class but seriously, why do I have to mash the buttons like I'm trying to break it? My old scientific calculator never did that!”
Common Praise
- The calculator has an impressive battery life, often lasting for months of use.
- The display is large, clear, and easy to read, enhancing visibility for calculations.
- Its specific financial functions like NPV, IRR, and TVM are indispensable for finance coursework and professional use.
- The intuitive layout and clearly labeled buttons make it straightforward to use for financial calculations.
- The compact and lightweight design makes it portable and easy to carry.
- The included slide-case effectively protects the screen from damage.
Common Complaints
- Buttons frequently require a firm press to register, leading to missed inputs and the need for rework.
- Battery replacement is cumbersome, requiring a screwdriver to open the back panel instead of a simple battery door.
- The calculator can automatically round results to two decimal places, which is problematic for precision-dependent calculations.
- Some users find the smooth plastic casing slippery, making it difficult to hold securely.
- It doesn't handle scientific notation entry directly, requiring a less intuitive method using the y^x key.
- The default 'Chain' mode for calculations can lead to incorrect results if users expect standard algebraic order of operations.
Ownership Tips
- You'll quickly learn to press the buttons with more force than you'd expect to ensure inputs register.
- Switching the calculation mode from 'Chn' to 'AOS' in the format menu is a must for standard algebraic order of operations.
- The battery really does last a long time, but when it dies, be ready to hunt for a tiny screwdriver.
- You'll mostly rely on the TVM, cash flow, and statistics functions, ignoring most of the basic math keys.
- Keeping the slide-case on is essential; the screen isn't super durable without it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Texas Instruments BA II Plus allowed in professional exams?
Yes, this calculator is approved for use on the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam, the GARP Financial Risk Manager (FRM) exam, and the Certified Management Accountants (CMA) exam.
How do I change the battery in the BA II Plus?
You'll need a small screwdriver to remove the back panel of the calculator to access and replace the battery. Some users find this inconvenient compared to models with a battery door.
What's the difference between the BA II Plus and the BA II Plus Professional?
The Professional version typically has a few extra functions like NFV, payback, discounted payback, and modified duration. Some users also report differences in button feel and battery access, with the standard version often having more responsive keys and the Professional sometimes allowing tool-less battery changes.
Can this calculator perform scientific calculations?
While it has some basic scientific functions like trigonometry and logarithms, it's primarily a financial calculator. It lacks direct keys for scientific notation entry, requiring workarounds for exponents.
How do I ensure correct order of operations?
The calculator can operate in Chain (Chn) or Algebraic Operating System (AOS) mode. Many users recommend switching to AOS mode from the Format menu to ensure proper algebraic precedence in calculations.
Buying Guide
When you're looking at financial calculators like this, you're not just buying something for basic math. You're getting a specialized tool designed to crunch numbers for things like investments, loans, and business valuations. Think about whether you need it for specific exams, because that's where this type of calculator really shines. Don't expect it to replace a scientific calculator for physics, but for finance, it's built for the job.
Profitability calculations (NPV, IRR)
NPV (Net Present Value) and IRR (Internal Rate of Return) are like the report card for an investment. They tell you if a project is worth doing and how good of a return you can expect, helping you make smart financial decisions.
Time-value-of-money (TVM) functions
TVM is all about how money today is worth more than the same amount in the future. These functions let you figure out loan payments, future savings, or how much you need to invest now to reach a goal, which is super useful for personal finance and business planning.
Exam approval
If you're taking professional exams like the CFA, having an approved calculator is non-negotiable. It means you can actually use it during the test, saving you from having to do complex calculations by hand and potentially failing because of a simple math error.
Alternatives
If this calculator's button issues or limited scientific functions are a dealbreaker, look for models with a more tactile keypad and a dedicated scientific mode, or consider the 'Professional' version for slightly enhanced features and potentially better battery access.
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