can I use a pencil (rather than a pen) to answer AM questions?

CFA Level III
#1

I need to erase and rewrite a lot. Please tell me if you know

#2

CFA Institute has said that they will grade morning sessions worked in pencil.

Don’t erase. First, spend at least as much time thinking about what you’re going to write as you do writing it. Second, write only what’s necessary (and correct). Third, if you write something incorrect. draw a line through it and write what’s correct. You haven’t time to waste erasing.

#3

Good point. Thanks

So you are CFA charter holder but studying with Kaplan (something else?)

#4

Did study with Kaplan; now teach for Kaplan.

#5

I am paying my respect dude. Good luck with teaching. Educating and helping others are great.

#6

Thanks. I appreciate it.

#7

this horse has been beaten so much, it’s just dust by now

#8

As a horse lover, I’d appreciate it if you would find a different metaphor.

#9

so long as pencil is not mechanical

#10

There is no such rule. The written directions say pen only, but mechanical pencil is just as permitted/prohibited as non-mechanical.

#11

mechanical pencil is not allowed? What is the difference?

#12

I called CFAI today. Pencils are totally fine. They prefer pen as pencil can get smudged during transport to grading center. I plan to use mechanical pencil.

#13

I am thinking about getting pen with special eraser that can remove its ink.

Don’t want to risk using pencil and paper getting smuged during transportaion

What do you guys think?

#14

where do you do your work? The answer boxes schweser provides are tiny?

#15

Following is the reply i got from CFAI regarding my query for use of pencil. Thank you for contacting us. We prefer that you write your answers to the constructed response questions in ink; however, the graders will certainly grade any answers you write in pencil.  Writing in pencil will not affect your exam grade.    Please contact us again if you have any further questions or requests. Regards, Jonathan Crumish | Client Services Representative | CFA Institute │Contact Us

#16

I thought about that but did a quick research and read something using a ben like that for his notes and left them in the sun for a few minutes then the ink completely disapeared. here is another story i found

Warning: Fantastic Product But Ink Can Disappear , June 16, 2010 By clwguy (FL) - See all my reviewsThis review is from: Pilot FriXion Ball Erasable Gel Pens, Fine Point, Black Ink, Dozen Box (FX7-BLK) (Office Product)

UPDATE: Someone told me that you could put the item in the freezer and it would reappear. While impractical, it does work! This pen is incredible but unfortunately there is a major flaw which makes the pen pretty much useless. Numerous times things I have written using this pen have gone blank. This problem is caused by heat. So if you leave something you’ve written in the car and it’s over 80 degrees (exact temperature unknown but it only needs to get slightly hot)… poof, voila… ink has disappeared. My mother lost her whole address book because the ink went invisible. I wrote a check for the tax department and it went blank. Like it said, it’s really too bad because these are fantastic if it weren’t for that problem

#17

^ that’s really terrible news!! i had made up my mind to use them!

#18

Just don’t use gel. use the ultra cheap bic pens, work fine

#19

Just don’t use gel. use the ultra cheap bic pens, work fine