Why is only no.2 pencils allowed on ubble in” tests ?
bubble tests are checked by scanning them through computers and scanners. in order for that to happen, the scanner can only read the ‘no.2’ pencil lead(for some sort of reason) so thats why they are sooo specific when they say how to fill in the bubbles and what to use and how well you have to erase it if you want to change an answer. because something the computer can’t read…it counts it wrong.
well, the thing is… no 2 pencils vary from brand to brand, slightly, and i’ve taken tests with mechanical pencils, and other hardnesses of lead before just to check it out (not the SAT, but other scantron tests) and i’ve found that ALL leads labeled HB or #2 work on the tests. including most mechanical pencil lead. i used a mechanical pencil on two of my subject tests… got a 740 and 780. so it’s fine. pen is another story… the scanning machines can’t read it. so if you know for certain that your mechanical pencil uses #2 (HB) leald, and you’re willing to “risk” it… go ahead.
