Pen or Pencil

[flygirl]

Does anyone know whether pencil is allowed for writing the AM session or not this year? Thanks!

 

[S2000magician]

Historically, CFA Institute has allowed you to use a pencil in the morning session, but they prefer that you use a pen, and their official guidlines (http://www.cfainstitute.org/about/governance/policies/Pages/recording_ex...) specify blue or black ink.
To be safe, you might want to e-mail them. If you do, and they reply, please post their reply here.

 

[flygirl]

Just got the reply from the Institute, however, it seems that “Pencil” is not allowed this year….
————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Thank you for following up with us regarding your level III examination. It is your responsibility to complete the essay book correctly to ensure all information is accurately recorded during grading and your results are correctly reported back to you. When completing your essay book:

• Use blue or black ink. You must bring your own pen on exam day. Testing personnel will not provide writing instruments to candidates.
• Write your CFA Institute ID and seat number on the front cover of your exam book.
• Sign the candidate pledge inside the front cover. Do not remove the candidate pledge card.
• Essay answers must be written in English.
• Each essay question consists of one or more parts (A, B, C, etc.). Some parts direct you to write your answer in a template. Instructions in bold print immediately following the question direct you to the page number of each template. Answer all other questions on the lined page(s) following the question. For these questions, label each part of your answer clearly (A, B, C, or i, ii, iii, etc.).
• Answers on question pages will not be graded. You may make marks and notes on the question pages.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.

Best Regards,
Edward Coles | Client Services Specialist | CFA Institute | Contact Us
Follow CFA Institute online: CFAInstitute.org | twitter.com/CFAInstitute │ Facebook.com/CFAInstitute │LinkedIn: Member Group │LinkedIn: Candidate Group

 

[clip1989]

Okay and being that we must use pen it seems, does anyone know the standard for crossing out your work and edits? Is it perfectly acceptable and done frequently for candidates to change their mind as they write and cross something out and re-write it? Or should we be EXTRA careful and only write in the exam book when we have our 100% final answer

 

[geo]

People make such a big deal out of these small details. Cross out stuff. Who cares. They mark the first answer you provide (that’s not crossed out). Use a nice blue pen because it shows up well on the paper.
Write neatly and clearly. And in very short bullets. Make the grader’s life as easy as possible. If it gains you .5 marks from being clear and to the point, it might be the difference between a pass and fail.
Make sure you mark what question you are answering, such as:
(4)
(a) Yield is 5%.
(b) Jim’s investment horizon is 24.5 years.
(c) Answered in template.
Etc.