Mechanical pencil for test day? Forum

(Applications Advice, Letters of Recommendation . . . )
Post Reply
aximpod

New
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:18 pm

Mechanical pencil for test day?

Post by aximpod » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:46 am

This might come off as a little foolish but I been using a mechanical pencil for all my practice LSAT.

It uses 0.5mm Lead and I truly believe I write faster with it. Are mechanical pencils allowed on test days?

I never had a problem with using a mechanical pencil on scantron/ Standardized tests before so I'm not too worried that my test will be scored wrong...

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

User avatar
DelDad

Bronze
Posts: 234
Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:26 pm

Post by DelDad » Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:31 am

They are allowed, and I used one - have a couple, plus a low tech backup available in case of malfunction :)

dwharris2

New
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 1:29 pm

Post by dwharris2 » Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:37 am

aximpod,
I recommend an 0.7 mm or even 0.9 mm pencil. The 0.5 one, if you're writing fast and hard, can tear the test paper, as I learned when I took the June test. The paper on the test is nothing like the paper on the preptests; it's flimsy and thin.
Yours,
dwharris2

lphat

New
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 02, 2006 3:02 am

Post by lphat » Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:19 am

Would the downside of the 0.7/0.9 mm be that it takes longer to bubble in each answer choice? It sounds stupid, but it's a legitimate concern.

User avatar
letylyf

New
Posts: 17
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 7:19 pm

Post by letylyf » Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:40 pm

I used a 0.5 and encountered no problems... but none of this stuff even occurred to me beforehand. I wouldn't stress too much over small details like this. In fact my proctor even had pencils on hand for students, just your typical yellow no. 2 things... I remember cause I was pretty surprised by how many people took her up on the offer. The truth is most people simply are not prepared for the LSAT and haven't put much effort into studying or anything. So that puts those of us who care and prepare in a better position :)

Want to continue reading?

Register now to search topics and post comments!

Absolutely FREE!


dwharris2

New
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 1:29 pm

Post by dwharris2 » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:05 pm

Actually, since the lead is thicker, I thought it'd take less time. But as Letylyf said, these are minor details. I found that with my 0.5 mm pencil, I tore the test paper a couple of times, but that might say more about me than about the test paper!
Yours,
dwharris2

jeff2486

New
Posts: 35
Joined: Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:59 am

Post by jeff2486 » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:39 pm

Let,

I agree with your point about people being unprepared. I think this point is true for all aspects of life. It is amazing how good you can look by just doing simple things, because most people don't even do those things.

User avatar
doctorgonzo

New
Posts: 57
Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:45 am

Post by doctorgonzo » Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:01 pm

When I took the test, I did what was suggested and took about ten sharpened #2 pencils with me, plus a mechanical pencil. I wasn't going to be doomed for want of a piece of graphite! ;)

aximpod

New
Posts: 39
Joined: Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:18 pm

Post by aximpod » Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:10 pm

Thank you for the suggestions.

Good luck tomorrow. I hope you all get 170+ :)

sep_30_lsat

New
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:19 pm

Post by sep_30_lsat » Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:45 pm

My hand was jittery during the first section of the test, so I switched to my more dull wooden pencil, for fear of ripping the answer sheet. I stopped being jittery, but I kept the wooden pencil.

I had four of each type (mechanical, wood) and I made sure the erasers left no marks and were "prepped" (used just a little). I also made sure the tips on the wooden ones were kind of dull.

The answer sheet was pretty strong, though. Not cheap newspaper-type paper.

The test booklet itself was cheap, newspaper-thickness paper.

Want to continue reading?

Register for access!

Did I mention it was FREE ?


Post Reply

Return to “Law School Admissions Forum”