CFAI now recommends pencil for Level III morning exam

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I just read through the CFAI updated policies and recomendations. I couldn’t help but notice the new recomendation, that candidates should use a pencil or erasable pen for the morning session. I know this question has been asked before, but with the change in recomendation by the CFAI who is planning on using a pen vs pencil vs erasable pen? Candidates that have taken the exam, what would you do?
“For the multiple-choice or item-set questions, your score is determined solely by how your marks are read by the scanning equipment. Marks made by a pen or pencil other than a No. 2 or HB, or marks that do not completely fill the oval may not be read by the scanning equipment. For the essay portion of the exam, it is strongly recommended that you use a No. 2 or HB pencil or an erasable blue or black ink pen.”
https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfaprogram/exams/Pages/policies.aspx
 
I’m guessing they are recommending the ability to erase to make the answers clearer and less confusing for the grader.
I’m thinking many crosscut might bias the grader against you thinking you don’t know what you’re doing
I will probably lean to the erasable pen if I can get some I like.
 
I just ordered a batch of Pilot Frixion erasable pens….I have been using them for all my mocks to practice and I can recommend them. The ink rubs out pretty easily when you use the special little rubber end of the pen. Dissapears almost without trace.
I’ll definitely be using them for the exam.
 
S666 wrote:
I just ordered a batch of Pilot Frixion erasable pens….I have been using them for all my mocks to practice and I can recommend them. The ink rubs out pretty easily when you use the special little rubber end of the pen. Dissapears almost without trace.
I’ll definitely be using them for the exam.
Click to expand...
Just read the following review of Pilot Frixion pens…
Erasable & retractable pens !! Write ,Delete ,Repeat, without damaging documents.No wear or tear !Revolutionary metamocolor ink technology - thermo-sensitive Gel ink disappears with friction using rubber tail plug on the pen,with no debris (ink disappears at about 60°C and recovering temperature is around -10°C).Frixion ball can write repeatedly on the same spot with the same pen.Rubberized grip to ensure comfortable writing.Ideal for Sudoku,Puzzles, crosswords and everyday writing.•Strickly not recomended for signatures,examination papers,cheques or official documents where writing needs to be of a permanent nature.
Not recommended for examination for the simple reason that the ink disappears at 60 degrees. You never know the temperature reaching that point while transporting your answer sheets.
 
Hmm..interesting. I think I’ll still use them as I just can not see the papers being exposed to an environment where the temperature is 60 degrees c…
I would much rather have the luxury of being able to erase incorrect answers than have to scrawl and cross outr everywhere.
I guess they have to say that about not using them for exams as a kind of disclaimer, and technically all erasable pen ink disappears as some “high” temperature. But yeah, I’m still going to use them…
 
Regarding the Pilot Frixion pens?
I have tried rubbing away the ink furiously with the tip of my finger and it doesn’t budge at all…it really needs to be rubbed out using the rubber end of the pen to create the necessary friction and temperature.
I feel confident using this pen.
 
S666 wrote:
Regarding the Pilot Frixion pens?
I have tried rubbing away the ink furiously with the tip of my finger and it doesn’t budge at all…it really needs to be rubbed out using the rubber end of the pen to create the necessary friction and temperature.
I feel confident using this pen.
Click to expand...
Thank you mate. That sounds convincing enough. Will be ordering my batch in a bit.
 
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