For those who passed...Did you use pen, pencil, or erasable pen?

CFA Level III
#1

I’m wondering if that makes any difference…

#2

Erasable pen, worked very well.

#3

pencil

#4

This.

There was the whole fiasco around the Frixon ink disappearing if it hit like 140 degrees in the truck transporting the exams to Charlottesville ahaha this board is such a gem. Probably saw that in five different topics before and after the exam. I used them, they worked great.

#5

Erasable pen…my guess is that any section I didn’t get >70% is purely due to those specific questions being rubbed out on the way to the marking centre…no other possible explanation!!! :wink:

#6

Friction erasable pen. Worked well and I had to correct a good number of mistakes.

#7

Erasable pen

#8

pencil

#9

Pencil.

#10

Pencil…its not like it made a difference. My morning paper was still crap. A friend who used pencil didn’t make it though while another friend who use a pen passed as well. So this isn’t really the difference you think it is. It might make it easier to write and erase though.

#11

After much hesitation I went with pencil, and really happy I was able to erase

#12

Pen. Keep things succinct enough so that if I make a mistake, I just cross out and have plenty of space left to correct it. Guy sitting next me used erasable something, very annoying to have table shaking…

#13

Pen. I had to keep it succinct.

This was a big issue, and after my first incorrect circle I wish that I had gone with erasable pen. So it is a valid question.

Also did not do well in one of the ****** questions, I did cross out a bit, may be due to this. Will not say which question.

#14

Pencil – pretty sure any connection between (approved) writing instrument and exam score is tangential at best. I love data though, so I’m interested in what most people that passed used.

#15

Pencil

#16

Pencil worked just fine.

#17

Frixon erasable pen. My handwriting was faster than using conventional ball pen. Knowing that I can correct my writing I tend to convey my thoughts on paper faster. Erasable feature was priceless during the stress of actual exam since I had to rewrite couple answers filled in wrong place and make room for answer to another question. Pay extra attention to templates and instructions where the answer should be written and practice using the actual paper layout as opposed to using scratch paper (for some older papers this is the only option). Try and find what works best for you, use it during your practice and ignore discussions about disappearing handwriting as highly hypothetical. There are other much more real obstacles during the exam which could derail your essay part. At the end the erasable pen is what Institute recommends to use.

#18

You are all fools, don’t use a pen or a pencil, sneak in a needle and prick your pointer finger…then write the essay portion in blood. CFA graders demand sacrifice, and there is no better way to appease them.

#19

Pencil.

#20

pencil + my horrible handwriting + English as a second language. but still my AM result is way better than what I expected especially the 1st Q~~

So do not get too obsessed with the whole pen/pencil/erasable pen crap… I admitted I also spent one hour researching this topic before exam but since I did not find erasable pen in local store…i go with pencil.

My suggestion is use what you are most familiar with and feel comfortable.