<p>I saw a few people using mechanical pencils on the test today, and I've heard that it really doesn't matter what kind of pencil you use. Anyway, my question is: has anyone who has used mechanical pencils had any problems with their test like being scolded by the proctor or problems with test scoring?</p>
<p>My proctor in March was particularly annoying and kept telling me not to use a mechanical pencil. I ignored her completely.</p>
<p>As long as you use #2 lead, it won't make any difference what kind of pencil you use. Come to think of it, I don't think I've even seen any stores sell pencil lead that wasn't #2 except perhaps certain art supply stores. I ordered the student answer service and to the best of my knowledge, there were no scoring errors and the score was what I expected.</p>
<p>It's not a scoring issue, it's a cheating issue (people are able to hid strips of paper in mechanical pencils). If they see you using a mechanical pencil and you refuse to stop, they are perfectly within their rights to throw you out. By signing up for the SAT, you are agreeing to submit yourself to CB rules.</p>
<p>hmmm... I wasn't sure if a proctor would go out of their way to stop you from using a mechanical pencil. I never thought of the cheating concern.... I just thought that CB is trying to avoid scoring issues. Thanks for the clarification!!</p>
<p>This has been in the rules for a while already, and is posted on the Web. </p>
<p>"no pens or mechanical pencils are permitted" </p>
<p>I used a mechanical pencil, had no problems with scoring issue nor with proctors (btw my proctor was HOT)</p>