<p>I used a couple of pencils and I think I used a #1B pencil now that I think about it for the whole test.</p>
<p>Will it affect my score even though I filled in the bubbles darkly?</p>
<p>Yeah it might. You are supposed to use #2 pencils.</p>
<p>I think it’s OK. The pencil mark only serves to reflect the light to the collection device of the machine. 2B-pencil is supposed to use in this kind of “machine” test because it reflect the best. But B is also reflective and the machine can recognize. I even used 2h in such tests.</p>
<p>The optical scanner with either read your answers or not. If it does not, they will have to hand score your answer sheet, which will delay your scores. My guess is that it will not be a problem at all.</p>
<p>my 2B pencil was incredibly light, almost as light as a super dark bubble after its erased… could this affect my scores?</p>
<p>If it does then my proctor won’t be very happy.</p>
<p>^2B is supposed to be darker than HB. I’m not sure if people refer to “No. 2” pencils as HB pencils or 2B pencils, though I think it’s the former. If No. 2 refers to 2B, I’ve always used HB without a problem.</p>
<p>I think using 3H or higher is foolish (and you would obviously feel the difference). It wouldn’t be dark enough and you risk scratching through the answer sheet if you press hard enough.</p>
<p>In terms of “scannability”, I personally don’t see anything wrong with using 3B, 5B, or even 8B since the scanners reflect light to determine your marks. (Keep in mind that 8B smudges easily and is almost impossible to erase completely.)</p>