Type of Pen Allowed in Morning Session

CFA Level III
#1

Hello all:

Unlike previous levels, this morning session uses a pen. I have looked to determine the type of pen allowed at the CFA exam, but a search on the official CFA site reveals nothing.

In today’s keyboard age, my handwriting stamina has suffered immensely. For when I take notes in my daily life, I favor easy- and smooth-writing pens, especially usual swag we get from firms we do business with. Does the pen have to be of a certain type? I.e. type of ball or what have you? I really want to take pens with me that put down the ink without me having to press much on the paper; usually permits me to put down better and more legible handwriting as well.

Please feel free to share tips and/or mishaps, such as smudging due to a pen that is overly generous with the amount of ink it puts down (which happens to be the type I favor, as they write easier).

I would almost prefer to have been limited to pencil for the morning session as well.

Thanks!

#2

http://pilotpen.us/brands/dr.-grip/dr.-grip-fullblack/

This is the greatest pen I have ever used. Glides like butter and no pressing needed. Also puts down just the right amount of ink. Kind of pricey in my book, but certainly glad I splurged for the exam. I think it was $6 at Target.

#3

I used cheap Bic pens and still passed.

With a really terrible handwriting (due to exam stress and, like you, being more used to typing on a keyboard.)

Sorry, don’t have a “like butta” pen recommendation, but it’s less of a factor than you may think.

#4

Is Gel pen allowed???

#5

If it shows up on paper - although, I’d advise against glitter pens. But what do I know? This is my first time sitting for L3, maybe the graders like glitter pens.

#6

These threads are amusing. Can’t believe we’re all stressing about what bloody pen to use.

I’ve been a real Goldy Locks pen shopper recently. Spent $5 on a pen a couple of weeks ago (I haven’t purchsed a pen in over a decade due to them being free at work), then spent $7 on another yesterday because I wasn’t entirely happy with the first one I bought. Too smudgy, too thick, not smooth enough, don’t like black ink, grip is too thick, grip is too small,…

#7

(Edited)

It doesn’t matter how thick your penis, it’s how well you use it.

#8

I thought the whole pen discussion was ridiculous too… Then I tried the “butta” pen. I have handwritting like a 3 year old, due to only using a keyboard like most, and the pen helped out quite a bit. Just saying, give it a try. Actually helped out quite a bit on my first AM run through.

#9

its like level 1 all over again lol

#10

Buy this, a 5 pack of black rollerball fine tip refills and get back to studying:

http://www.paradisepen.com/fine-pens/roller-ball-pens/meisterstuck-tribute-to-mont-blanc-roller-ball-pen-106845.html

#11

Mont Blanc or hacksaw.

#12

FTFY

#13

dont use erasable pens, apparently the color fades when exposed to extreme heat. to be safe dont use it.

i used blood btw

#14

I’ve never been a fan of erasable pens, the viscosity of the ink is too think for my taste (has to be in order to be erasable and not absorbed into the paper). The montblanc rollerball ink isn’t without fault though; since it is water based, it will bleed like nothing else if water touches it. I was a little paranoid that a grader would accidently spill a bottle of water on my test and screw up my results.