Pen tip

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abcdefg

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Here’s a tip - probably more useful for when the exam rolls around:
If you are planning on using a pen in the morning and not a pencil, do yourself a favor and get yourself a decent rollerball pen. I tried a few and really liked the Pilot G2 Pro.
I brought a couple Pilot G2 Pro’s to the L3 exam. The amount of effort it takes to write something is far less than with a ballpoint pen. Your hand is going to be fatigued from writing for a good portion of 3 hours in the morning- especially with a ballpoint - so do yourself a favor and splurge on a decent pen.
Warning though: the quality control is a bit spotty with these G2 Pro’s - unfortunately, I’ve gotten a couple of these where the ink comes out inconsistently. But the good ones work awesome and make your writing effortless - especially on the paper stock that the CFA Institute uses for the exam.
Check out the reviews on Amazon for “Pilot G2 Pro Retractable Gel Ink Rolling Ball Pen, Fine Point, Black Ink (31147)”.
Just a tip to make your exam day go a little smoother and maybe even shave a little time off your exam.
As for the whole pencil/erasable pen issue - it seems to me like it would take more time to erase than to simply cross stuff out. So why bother?
 
I concur: a ballpoint pen is about the worst type to use for writing long, essay-type exams. Apart from the gel ink, a wider body pen also helps prevent applying the “death grip” to the pen.
 
Use a pen that you’re comfortable with- practice exams give you ample opportunity to find one you like. Just get something that doesn’t smudge.
 
+1 on erasable pens for the morning session of L3.
I used a Paper Mate “Erasermate” pen.
They’re, like, 3 bucks for a package of 5.
“Writes like a ballpoint pen, erases like a pencil.”
 
I think you would be better off studying the material then worrying about what type of pen to use. I literally grabbed the first three pens I could find on my way out the door to take the exam.
Why take an erasable pen? you will have more then enough room to write your answer even if you cross it out several times. My hand felt fine after writing three hours with some cheap pen. I kept my answers short and to the point, used a few bullet points when needed, and avoided writing a novel for each answer.
 
It’s a pity about the mean-spirited and churlish posts that we so often get on this forum, in response to genuinely well-meaning and friendly offers of help and advice.
 
a pen that you are used to. I don’t think it really matters if its ball or roll or run. I don’t know why people say you have to write long. Its not length that matters. Write to the point. I cleared L3 and 2010. I don’t think I wrote much volume. Its ‘essay’ but not in the usual sense.
 
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