In the AM - Pencil or Pen - what was faster to write with?

CFA Level III
#1

Frixion? Pencils? Parker Pens? What do you think was faster to write with in the AM? Were people able to get more done (yes, time spent thinking about the answer OR correcting the answer OR writing long answers versus succintly are other variables) with a pencil? Yes, writing with a Frixion that might??? disappear in extreme heat is a different discussion to have…

#2

The scorers like pens better because it is easier to read and makes it seem like the exam taker is more confident in her responses.

#3

as long as the responses are correct…and they do not have the need to scratch out responses…else the confidence may be misplaced… legible is good though.

#4

they took my Frixion, I was not allowed to write with them

#5

Crayons.

#passguaranteed

#6

wrote it with just a regular mechanical pencil just because it felt more natural

#7

I wrote in pen and had to cross some stuff out… it looks bad honestly but hopefully they will give me the correct points

#8

Some crossing out I am sure is understood and expected by the graders… very few of us think right the first time around for every question we would see…that would take a real good preparation.

#9

Pencil is more likely to be faded or smudged, even rubbed off during the shipping and handling process. It is also more common for people who use pencil to erase poorly and inconsistently, which can be confusing to CFA Institute. With pen, the graders know you’re confident in your response.

#10

Really? and, you had some substitute available on hand …

#11

they give me normal pens, they went around and searched for Frixion

#12

Did those founded with Frixion earn PCP?

#13

…Maybe they should say “Frixions” not allowed (understand saying what is allowed is simpler than saying what is not allowed)…or maybe there is some truth to the vanishing ink and they might be doing this for the candidates benefit.

#14

wrote in black ink ballpoint pen for AM…portions of my response sheet look like a murder scene, but i’d rather have it scratched out than erased and all fuzzy looking.

#15

Pencil is superior by far, rub out job done.

pen cross things out end up writing your answer in a tiny corner of the page.

#16

I thought it’s mandatory to write in pen for AM, no?

I remember i used the kind of pen that is erasable so it looks neat even if i made a mistake.

NANA

#17

No, it is not mandatory. AM - pen or pencil PM- pencil

#18

CFAI says you may use pencil but the graders will always prefer to read papers written in blue ink.

#19

I don’t know… my handwriting is bad enough with pencils, you know…pens and small handwriting don’t get along. Also, using a pen would certainly force me to take some extra seconds to think how to structure my answers, just can’t afford that. If we add to this the higher likelihood of several scratches and ink stains, I think graders should be grateful I opted for the pencil.

#teampencil

#20

used a frixion (+4 spares)