<p>okay, so I just found out that the pencil that i used on today’s test is a #2.5. Is that the same as a #2, or am I screwed??</p>
<p>They will run it through the scanner, and it will most likely be uncapable, when this happens the person is required to send it to be hand scored. And if a problem still arises you can inquire for a photocopy of your answer sheet and a copy of the test booklet; so if your scores are erroneous you can send a letter of notification of concern to the ACT company. You can get the address if needed via their website, act.org. Don’ts worry!</p>
<p>gisele, </p>
<p>If your marks seemed dark to you, it will be fine. If you suspect a scanning error when you get your score report (like your score is 5), you could get it handscored. But chances are it will be scanned correctly. 2.5 isn’t far from 2.</p>
<p>the darkness of the marks has nothing to do with the “scanability”
the number of the pencil relates to the concentration of graphite in the pencil lead
the scanner puts small electrodes on the surface of the paper; if there’s enough graphite on the paper, it will conduct. if the right electrode conducts, the machine records your correct answer. if more than one elctrode or no electrode or the wrong electrode conducts, the machine tallies your wrong answer.
so the question is, does a 2.5 pencil have a high enough concentration of graphite? idk, but it probably doesn’t matter; the test will be hand scored if the machine doesn’t score it.</p>
<p>there is no difference between 2.5 and 2… dont worry…LOL</p>
<p>what is the purpose of the black lines on the left margin?</p>
<p>I’m sorry, zspot, but you’re mistaken. Both the ACT and SAT use optical scanning technology, not electrodes. And the darkness does matter. For example, if you erase your answer and mark a new one, they might both be scanned if you don’t erase really well, and the scanning program will compare the darkess of the two marks to determine your intended response. Furthermore, if your answers were not scanned because you used the wrong pencil, it would not automatically be handscored because no one would know. It would only be handscored if it happened to get selected for random quality control or if you requested it and paid $25.</p>
<p>You can read a little about the scanning technology [url=<a href=“Pearson | The World’s Leading Education Provider”>www.pearsoncanadasolutions.com/products/h_what.html]here[/url</a>] (they use “OMR”).</p>
<p>excel, the black lines along the edge are timing tracks, which orient the scanner to where the marks should be on the page.</p>