Dec
08
Can you use a mechanical pencil on the SAT?
By
I know it says number 2 pencil but i prefer using my .5 mechanical pencil. Do you think it would still be okay?
At school whenever we do scantron tests and they tell us to use #2 pencils, i always use the same mechanical pencil and it’s always worked.
Also, does anyone know how long the SAT’s take to finish?
6 Comments
December 8th, 2009 at 7:54 am
yes you can use the mechanical pencil.
the number 2 refers to the type of lead used, how soft it is.
the .5 refers to the size of the lead.
December 8th, 2009 at 8:18 am
You must use a #2 pencil so that the scanning machine picks up your “bubbles”.
If you want to chance screwing up your SAT’s, go for it!
Honestly, I’m not sure if mechanical pencils can come with #2 lead, if it can, I guess it would be ok. I’m just not sure what # lead they use.
December 8th, 2009 at 8:44 am
No.2 refers to the type of material inside of the pencil, in most cases graphite.
The SAT/ any scantron based test determines your answers by scanning the graphite and it’s position on the test paper.
Anyways, to answer your question…Yes, you can use your mechanical pencil.
December 8th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Not unless it’s a #2 mechanical pencil…..Though I suggest using a regular wooden #2 pencil. Just in case…
SATS usually take about 40-60 minutes to finish. The harder the subject, the longer it may take. But I’ve never known anyone who took 2 full hours to finish. So around an hour.
Good Luck! (I have to take one tomorrow….joy.)
December 8th, 2009 at 10:19 am
they give us pencils and wont let us use any other pencil..but thats at my school
December 8th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Mechanical pencils are fine, but its always better to follow the directions lest you become disqualified for a wierd reason. The SAT reasoning takes over 4 hours and NOT 60 minutes. The SAT subject tests are about 90 minutes or so depending on you.