<p>this may seem trivial, but are mechanical pencils allowed on the SAT? are any of them #2? if so, are they allowed? my handwriting is pretty terrible without a mechanical pencil. having one makes me neater and thus more organized and focused on what i'm writing. ty!</p>
<p>For whatever reason, mechanical pencils aren't allowed on the SAT - or at least the Essay portion.</p>
<p>Might have something to do with the clicking? I don't know.</p>
<p>Actually, there's NOT a rule against mechanical pencils on the essay. I know people who use them, and score well and everything. You can always try it, and if your test proctor flips...well...they wouldn't.</p>
<p>Why are they banned? I never understood that. Does it have something to do with the machine grading the test?</p>
<p>I don't know why mechanical pencils aren't allowed (at least for the MC?). All mechanical lead IS #2 lead. Beats me.</p>
<p>I heard it's because they're afraid you can sneak some answers into you mech. pencil. I'm not exactly sure how you could cheat like that, but I guess they can never be too careful.</p>
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[quote]
Actually, there's NOT a rule against mechanical pencils on the essay. I know people who use them, and score well and everything. You can always try it, and if your test proctor flips...well...they wouldn't.
[/quote]
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<p>I remember my test proctor [Jan 24] explicitly forbidding students to use 'em...</p>
<p>Yeah, my guidance said that CB is worried that pieces of paper can be slipped into and seen in the clear plastic wraps. Kind of stupid.</p>
<p>Even if you could slip a tiny piece of paper in there, what's the point? It's not like it could really help you</p>
<p>When I took it in January my proctor didn't care what kind of pencil we used</p>
<p>mechanical pencils are not allowed. i dont care what proctors say, they are just not allowed. last time, our proctor said something about mechanical pencils' type of lead which scantrons cannot properly read... but i think we shouldn't use them because they scratch paper (at least those i've seen)
but guys, i've been using #2 pencils for my whole life, and believe me, they're FINE
besides, you can take as much pencils as you want in case the one you use gets blunt.</p>
<p>Mechanical pencils can tear your answer sheet or put a hole. Not that you cant do this with an ordinary pencil, but its more likely to happen with a mechanical pencil. Why risk it?</p>
<p>I heard that the rule was from SAT scores that were graded improperly and
college board blamed mechanical pencils.</p>
<p>I just did the entire Jan SAT (essay included) in mechanical pencil, so I'll let you know how it turns out ;)</p>
<p>@Bookworm
Lol it might turn out right. But imagine some poor soul, who might tear or make a hole in his answer sheet :D</p>