Pen vs Pencil

[Adversely Selected]

What do you use?

[Vorian Atreides]

The sheets are photocopied and then sent to the graders. Pencils have a tendency to not photocopy very well.

And you're not counted off for strike outs.

Note that this is just my preference. There's nothing wrong with using pencil if you feel better about erasing things to be corrected.

[booyah81]

I'm 1 for 1 on upper-level exams I wrote with a pencil. There must be some correlation (http://xkcd.com/552/)...

[Present Value]

Real men use pens

[ElDucky]

Blood.

[booyah81]

Blood.

:iatp:

[kyleucf]

Both.

[MightySchoop]

The sheets are photocopied and then sent to the graders. Pencils have a tendency to not photocopy very well.

Having graded exams, I can tell you that they turn up the contrast on those photocopies so high that there is little chance of "not photocopying well."

Use whatever you are more comfortable with and can make your answer easiest to read, taking "hand cramp" into account.

[JasonScandopolous]

pen, because pencils are riskier (point breaking, becoming dull very quickly, etc.)

[Vorian Atreides]

Having graded exams, I can tell you that they turn up the contrast on those photocopies so high that there is little chance of "not photocopying well."

Use whatever you are more comfortable with and can make your answer easiest to read, taking "hand cramp" into account.
Thanks for the intel. :tup:

[jeanluc]

So if the sheets are getting photocopied for graders, the preference that a test taker not use multiple colors is just to discourage answers that would be dependent on multiple colors, like drawing a diagram with a black line and a blue line for different models, for example, since the grader wouldn't be able to tell the difference, correct?

But would I be able to use different colors, and more importantly use both pen and pencil to write the exam, solely for my own benefit? I really prefer using pencil on my calculation problems since I'm always messing up when I'm showing all work, but using them on essay questions I'd prefer a pen just for the feel and because it would wear down my pencils too much.

[doop]

So if the sheets are getting photocopied for graders, the preference that a test taker not use multiple colors is just to discourage answers that would be dependent on multiple colors, like drawing a diagram with a black line and a blue line for different models, for example, since the grader wouldn't be able to tell the difference, correct?

But would I be able to use different colors, and more importantly use both pen and pencil to write the exam, solely for my own benefit? I really prefer using pencil on my calculation problems since I'm always messing up when I'm showing all work, but using them on essay questions I'd prefer a pen just for the feel and because it would wear down my pencils too much.

yes. the photocopies for them are black and white. Aside from that, whatever works for you is exactly what you should do.

[limabeanactuary]

split the difference:

http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Products/Pages/LiquidPencil.aspx

[jeanluc]

split the difference:

http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Products/Pages/LiquidPencil.aspx


Whoa that looks exactly like what I've needed all my life. Erasable pens have always been garbage.

[Vorian Atreides]

split the difference:

http://www.sharpie.com/enUS/Products/Pages/LiquidPencil.aspx
How should one vote for this in the OP's poll? :-?

[limabeanactuary]

I'm always causing trouble.

[Vorian Atreides]

I'm always causing trouble.
And then you blame me . . . ;-)

[limabeanactuary]

Naw, I just increase your count on the list.

But I'll let it go this time.