<p>What's the rule for the SAT on mechanical pencils. I want to use one for my essay because it'll be a lot neater than if i use a regular one.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>Mechanical pencils are not permitted.</p>
<p>... unless you have a lazy proctor who doesn't notice :)</p>
<p>...and if the lazy proctor doesn't notice until you're on your way out the door to go home, your scores will be canceled :D</p>
<p>wait, they're really just like NOT ALLOWED? I thought you could use them if they're number two, why would they not be allowed altogether?</p>
<p>Why? Don't know. Perhaps in the past they've been used as a vehicle to cheat.</p>
<p>If I do use them, will they effect grading in any possible (besides from the proctor since the proctor doesn't grade them)?</p>
<p>I think if the lead isn't the right "kind" (#2HB) the machine may not recognize it...not 100% sure on that though so don't quote me on it :P</p>
<p>No, the lead is 2 HB, the only reason for the rule is that one could put a cheat sheet within the lead barrel, apparently. I used a mechanical pencil and I was fine.</p>
<p>i used a mechanical pencil for my psat, if that helps at all.</p>
<p>I used a mechanical pencil on the december ACt, january SAT, and February ACT and there were no problems wtih my scores beign delayed or anything of the sort</p>
<p>mmm love mixed messages lol</p>
<p>i think i'll be safe and bring like 10 sharpened real pencils and go from there.</p>
<p>I used mechanical pencils on my PSAT, too. College Board said mechanicals aren't allowed for the SAT, so I never used one. It would be better for the essay, though..</p>
<p>to be safe, just do that bring ten sharpened pencils. shouldn't be a problem. whenever you essay starts getting a bit messy change to another sharpened pencil.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
No, the lead is 2 HB, the only reason for the rule is that one could put a cheat sheet within the lead barrel, apparently. I used a mechanical pencil and I was fine.
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>Are you serious? That's hilarious. I thought they were just afraid that not all "leads" would be #2 or be labeled, so they figured they might as well just eliminate mechanicals altogether. I've used mechanicals before, my scores were always fine. (My pencils were opaque, too. I wouldn't be able to cheat very well with them. ;))</p>
<p>Wow why would anybody want to cheat using a pencil when you can just put a cheat sheet up your sleeve or in your pocket? What amount of info can you squeeze onto a little cheat sheet that you can't just memorize?</p>
<p>Our math teacher once said that on a State Math test a classmate scratched formulas onto a hershey's chocolate bar and then ate it when the test was over. :D</p>
<p>i really wanted to use a mechanical pencil for the essay too, but i didn't wanna risk getting caught, so i just brought my own pencil sharpener and 4 pencils. worked fine for me!</p>
<p>somni, wow..formulas on a chocolate bar? that's insane!</p>
<p>I used regular, number 2 pencils on the bubbles for the March SAT, but I used my mechanical pencil for my essay. The proctors didn't notice even when they walked past me. I refuse to use a dull, wooden pencil to write the essay.</p>
<p>I thought about using a mechanical pencil for the essay but I decided not to risk my proctor noticing since she said "no mechanical pencils" about 3 times</p>