<p>I used mechanical pencils on the SAT today because I thought they were considered #2 pencils. I'm seriously worried now. Do you think I should be? Did you use mechanical pencils before and still receive good scores?</p>
<p>It all depends on whether they really were $2, or close to it. The numbering system is based on the relative hardness, and the ability of the graphite to adhere to the paper. If the pencil was too hard, the scoring machines may have difficulty reading your test. But most cheap mechanical pencils are acceptable to use on the SAT (even though they tell you not). If you’re than nervous check the packaging of the pencils, or google them to find out how hard the leads are.</p>
<p>This is solely my opinion, but I think the only reason mechanical pencils or pens are not permitted is that they can be used for cheating. Many OMR systems are able to recognize pens, ink, pencil leads, or even paint as long as it’s black. I am not aware of what specific mechanism the SAT OMR system uses, but I think if your lead was black, you will be fine. I would not worry too much.
And, before all, what’s the use of worrying about it this late, when you virtually can’t do anything about it.
I think you would have noticed it if your marks were too light, unless this is the first time you took an exam with a separate bubble sheet.</p>
<p>There are all these posting and read-aloud statements about mechanical pencils in the ACT, and the proctors are instructed to walk around and be sure students are not using them initially. But then, later in the instructions, it says that if you find a student using a mechanical pencil, you are to allow them to continue testing. Nothing is said about the previous marking being problematic and I don’t think (not sure, I don’t have my manual with me over the weekend) that you have to write an irregularity report about it. So I wouldn’t worry. It’s the proctor’s job to catch it and you probably will be markable anyway.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about it. I did the same and I was fine. Of course, Idk that we used the same type of pencil/lead, but hey, can’t do anything about it now, so I’d just relax :)</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone who responded. I appreciate it. I used PaperMate mechanical pencils. I’m sure it’s all fine. I’m relieved.</p>
<p>no worry i used mechanical pencil all the time.</p>
<p>yeah, you’re probably fine. worry not!</p>
<p>Thanks, everyone. I’m very relieved now.</p>
<p>I think 0.7 lead s #2, correct me if i’m wrong.</p>
<p>So I now want to take the SAT with black paint…</p>
<p>0.7 lead is a thickness, not a hardness. I have a box of #2 0.5 lead.</p>
<p>So did it work out for you in the end?</p>
<p>I used a mechanical pencil on my SAT Subject Tests and I was fine.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, this happened to my friend, a very long time ago. His score got delayed on the due to using the wrong pencil, it turns out that the machine couldn’t read it. (I don’t what kind of pencil he was using), so he waited 2 extra weeks, he recieved an email from CB saying they had to hand grade his scantron!</p>
<p>You should be fine I used mechanical pencil on my January SAT and nothing happened to my score.</p>
<p>HB led is the equivalent to a #2 pencil.</p>
<p>I always use mechanical. Nothing has ever happened–no delay or anything. Although, now that I think about it, my answers always like soak through to other pages (fortunately only the blank parts) and that is probably why…</p>
<p>Reminds me of</p>
<p>[xkcd:</a> Scantron](<a href=“http://xkcd.com/499/]xkcd:”>xkcd: Scantron)</p>