Given that CFAI recommends erasable pens, they have certainly already thought about the fact that some may dissappear in extreme heat. Thus, they would certainly take precaution to ensure this doesn’t happen.
i’ve been using the black frixion pens and like them; however, i’ve found myself unconsciously clicking the pen in and out. if everyone in the room is clicking these things, it’s going to be noisy and distracting. i’m buying some serious ear plugs! i wonder how many complaints CFAI is going to get…
I think I’m going for the conventional pencil. Sounds like too much of a risk. Sorry S666 
*runs off to sell his shares in Pilot…*
Haha. Since I posted that on this forum, I guess that would qualify as non-material public information.
*grabs coat*
I think I have decided on using a kurutoga pencil from Uni. I have been using the 0.5mm version of the pencil for the past two CFA exams. I have just purchased the 0.3mm to use on the morning session for level 3. The pencil is unique because the graphite spins as you write, ensuring there is always a point and reducing breakage.
I am sure it is very unlikely, but given that certain areas of the country get 100+F in the summer, and the likelihood that these exams will sit in a truck unattended for at least a little while, makes me want to rule out any chance that my paper will be illegible.
From the CFA website
For the essay portion of the exam, it is strongly recommended that you use a No. 2 or HB pencil or an erasable blue or black ink pen.
https://www.cfainstitute.org/about/governance/policies/Pages/answer_sheet_and_exam_book_policy.aspx
FYI- here is the response that I received from the CFA Institute-
“Thank you for following up with us regarding the morning session of the Level III exam. We advise candidates to complete the morning session using a blue or black ballpoint pen and not a pencil.”
Side note- I find it frustrating that this isn’t spelled out on the website since the website clearly indicates that both are acceptable with no preference for one over the other…typical.
I picked up a pack of Frixion erasable pens this week and they’re not bad. The ink is a bit weak from my limited testing, and I prefer a 1mm tip as opposed to fine point, but they should do the trick. It wouldn’t be my preferred pen but the ability to erase probably beats cross outs. I plan to use them when I start AM past exam practice to make sure they’re usable for me over 3 hours of writing.
Finally I am quite sure that I will use an ordinary blue pen, a tool that I use always in real life and have been used in all examinations before CFAI. Erasable pen has weak print and simply I don’t want use it. Pencil HB should be sharpened continuously and I am not sure that grader would recognize the meanings of my words written by pencil.
https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfaprogram/exams/Pages/policies.aspx
Pencil OR Pen is appropriate. Personally, going with the traditional pencil…
I am going with traditional pencils. Used an erasable pen once and got worried about if it didn’t get accidentally erased.
CFAI website:
Email reported to be from CFAI:
Who’s in charge over there?
Also, I’m already getting pain in my wrist/hand; most of it due to doing more handwriting the past 2 months than past 10 years. You don’t really push a pen down, but with a pencil you need to push to imprint it. No idea how much more frustrating that would be after 2.5 hours, but leaning heavily to non-erasable pen.
The website does not currently say anything about erasable pens. Looks like enough drama for the Institute to just pull the recommendation off. Again, there is currently no recommendation about erasable pens, and as such, many of the aforementioned arguments/discussion points are moot.
I was hoping this would spur some additional commentary and suggestions. Where are you guys seeing this about “erasable pens?” I don’t see anything of it anymore.
The headline to this thread is misleading. I don’t think anything changed. They have always said " For the essay portion of the exam, it is strongly recommended that you use a No. 2 or HB pencil or an erasable blue or black ink pen.”
#fakenews
I must be going blind because I do not see that anywhere about erasable pens! Someone please prove me wrong by screeshotting this from the current website with a timestamp! Many thanks in advance folks!