<p>I hate writing in pencil. I have never used pencils in school. Even in classes where the teacher required pencil he would allow me to use pen. I don’t have any medical problem or learning disability that prevents me from using pencil, I just hate it. My handwriting gets worse and it feels funny for some reason so I can’t make myself press down very hard. Surely it is mostly in my head, but still, using it on the essay section of the SAT writing can break my concentration and my confidence, and when you only have 25 minutes it can make a huge difference. </p>
<p>Is there any reason collegeboard shouldn’t let me use a pen if I specially request it and get some teachers to say that I struggle with pencil—other than the rule that says number two pencil must be used? Or will they just say “if we bend the rule for someone who is capable of using pencil what good is the rule?”</p>
<p>Is this something I might actually consider doing something about? Or should I just start making up for lost time and practice using pencil? If it is a matter of some machine looking at it and only being able to do so in #2 pencil do you think I could just get two people to look at it without the machine, like when people request their MC scores to be handchecked, for a fee?</p>
<p>Do not use pen. Your essay and multiple choice questions will not be properly scanned, and the manual grading request does not give you credit for pen either.</p>
<p>No…most mechanical pencils do have #2 lead. Chances are you would have to try if you wanted to purchase something other than #2 lead at a regular office supply store.</p>
<p>Plus, people have used #3+ pencils and their tests were scored fine. Anyway, the main argument against mech pencils = possibility of cheating by putting stuff in the lead compartment. However, if you do choose to use one (I used them for the essay), even if proctor objects (mine didnt) I don’t think its grounds for getting thrown out or something - at most just telling you to switch to normal pencils.</p>
<p>I think you need to suck it up. After all, pencils are REQUIRED for any standardized multiple choice test (of which you will take many in life); many essays also must be written in pencil. I had a similar situation; I have been using mechanical pencils all my life and had literally not touched a regular wooden pencil for 10 years when I read “Do not use a mechanical pencil” on the CB site. I was like, oh crap, but I just did my next practice test in wood pencil and it was fine.</p>
<p>plus, why would you want your answers to be permanently marked on an answer sheet? if you make a mistake, you want to erase it to get more points…</p>
<p>Your best bet? Get a good mechanical pencil with .9mm lead (the thickest available, I believe). It won’t feel exactly like a pen but it sure beats those yellow sticks.</p>