Don't let anyone tell you to forget about the programs. Of course you need to know the math, but I figure if you didn't know the math you wouldn't be testing anyway. The programs are a time saver, not a cop-out on knowing the math. Granted, you may not need many programs, but a few of them really save some time. Time management is everything on the exams.
Might as well get the 35. The i button and display features can take you far. In my opinion programs would be really helpful if you actually had to solve the problems but really you do not you just need to find the correct choice. Someone on one of these boards called it "roughnecking the problem", it works.
Oh and the statistics problems can pretty much be cracked by reading the calculator manual on how to use the statistics functions.
Check out some basic GIS text and like read the glossary or something. I was really surprised with some of the GIS questions and business questions.
"Original" HP35, Paid $395 For Mine
Bought it for my senior year at Lehigh and it allowed me to take a class overload. Using it sped up homework compared to a slide rule. It paid for itself that year. I used it for the FE exam and the PE exam 8 years later. After that it was used less frequently as it was impossible to find replacement rechargeable battery pack. I took apart a battery pack and put regular AAs in the pack. That worked OK but was inconvenient. It still works with the charger and sits on a side desk. Usually though I grab 1 of my 2 HP 11s (used for the FS and PS exams) or my new HP 35.
The new HP 35 came to me courtesy of my son, who used it to pass the PE in Mechanical Engineering. He does not like RPN and he also got straight A grades in calculus.
Somethings definitely wrong with that boy?
Paul in PA
"Original" HP35, Paid $395 For Mine
Straight A's in Calculus and abandoned RPN? He's exceptional, should have been a professor.....
Without R-P and P-R keys its just a paperweight...