Automatic Pencil for MCAT

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Status
Not open for further replies.
MDGuy07

MDGuy07

Membership Revoked
Removed
10+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
May 1, 2006
Messages
107
Reaction score
0
Members do not see this ad.
I have an automatic insert lead pencil that I always use for tests and want to know if I can use it for the MCAT.

If I'm not allowed to which I think someone told me, how tough are they on enforcing this rule? Do people still use their automatic pencils anyways?

Have you ever seen it?

Thanks.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
that's a good question - I have never seen it mentioned in any of the mcat literature. I am the same way about mechanical pencils - call it superstition - but I always do better when I use one. Hopefully someone here can answer the question for both of us. 👍
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I used the automatic pencil and so did lots of people during the MCAT. I really don't think it is an issue. If you want to be safe, bring an old-fashioned pencil with you, but I'm 100% sure you can use the automatic pencil 😳
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I'd make sure your lead is .7mm not .5mm or smaller... the bigger the lead the less time filling in the bubbles 🙂
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I used a mechanical pencil when writing in the test booklet, and a larger old-school soft lead pencil to fill in the bubbles after each passage. I used to softer lead pencil because I could fill in the bubbles better and I didn't need to worry about poking a hole through the scantron with my sharp mechanical pencil. (I press hard on pencils, and I've poked through scantrons before)
When I took the GRE, we weren't allowed to have mechanical pencils, but my MCAT proctors didn't seem to care.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
MDGuy07 said:
I have an automatic insert lead pencil that I always use for tests and want to know if I can use it for the MCAT.

If I'm not allowed to which I think someone told me, how tough are they on enforcing this rule? Do people still use their automatic pencils anyways?

Have you ever seen it?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

what is an automatic pencil??? Is that a mechanical pencil?? I used mechanical pencils my first time around but got freaked out when they said it might give issues when grading the scantron. I've heard that the big My First pencil was good for saving time bubbling.

Nodelphi posted that in the 30+ thread so I bought some for my friends this past April and they felt that saved them on bubbling time.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
i 2nd the "my first pencil" beginner's pencil from ticonderoga. they're great! i used them on my practice tests to get used to them (as i am an engineer and i swear by mechanical pencils...the smaller the lead, the better for me), and they worked out well on the actual test. anything that can save you a few seconds is always a bonus.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
my proctors were strict about NO mechanical pencils. like 90% of us had brought them and they had to give us all regular pencils. it sucked. 👎
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The official MCAT Essentials guide (http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/mcatessentials2006.pdf) specifies only that pencils must be #2, which any normal mechanical pencil is. I used mechanical pencils on my MCAT, as I don't own any wooden pencils at all, without a problem. I guess you could have wacky proctors who don't understand that #2 has to do with the lead, not the lead delivery system, so I'd bring a few old-school pencils just in case, but there's no reason not to use your preferred type.

I do agree with the advice to use .7mm lead, even though I'm another .5 fan - you definitely don't want to be tearing holes in your answer sheet, and the bigger lead lets you bubble faster.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gujuDoc said:
what is an automatic pencil??? Is that a mechanical pencil?? I used mechanical pencils my first time around but got freaked out when they said it might give issues when grading the scantron. I've heard that the big My First pencil was good for saving time bubbling.

Nodelphi posted that in the 30+ thread so I bought some for my friends this past April and they felt that saved them on bubbling time.
Click to expand...

I tried My First pencil too but it didn't work for me. It's too light!
glad i tried it out during a practice exam.
I guess I'm just too used to the weight of my mechanical pencil.. 🙄
(I use those thicker Pilot ones) I wish they had .7 for that particular one I like though
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nikki2002 said:
guju i love you
Click to expand...


I'm serious??? Is that what they mean by automatic pencil. BTW thanks Nikki.....I'm going to start calling you Pinky and the Brain.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gujuDoc said:
I'm serious??? Is that what they mean by automatic pencil. BTW thanks Nikki.....I'm going to start calling you Pinky and the Brain.
Click to expand...


Im confused as well, what the hell is an automatic pencil? Is it some super battery powered pencil?

If the question is about mechanical pencils, I used them during my exam....
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nikki2002 said:
um i don't get it???? 😕
Click to expand...


Because you are insane in the brain. And Pinky and the Brain from that old WB cartoon were insane in the brain. 😉

You know we 😍 you. 😛 😀
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
A quick google of "automatic pencil" indicates that it means the same thing as "mechanical pencil". Pentel, the predominant maker of nice mechanical pencils, calls them automatic pencils.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
lorelei said:
A quick google of "automatic pencil" indicates that it means the same thing as "mechanical pencil". Pentel, the predominant maker of nice mechanical pencils, calls them automatic pencils.
Click to expand...


Ok that's what i thought but I wasn't sure since I'd never heard it referred to as such. I used mechanical pencils but then got freaked out by what the proctor said so didn't use it the second time. But I actually like QofQuimica's advice the best.....

Use mechanical to solve problems but use a wooden pencil for bubble filling in unless you are more comfy with mechanical ones.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gujuDoc said:
Because you are insane in the brain. And Pinky and the Brain from that old WB cartoon were insane in the brain. 😉

You know we 😍 you. 😛 😀
Click to expand...

That is the dumbest thing i've ever heard.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
CptCrunch said:
Shouldn't it be the dumbest thing you've ever read? Unless you had someone read it to you, in which case you'd be correct.
Click to expand...

They both mean the same thing, except if you used the word "read" it wouldn't sound as fitting within the context of the sentence. You know that, and so does everyone else on the board. Tool.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
percywilkins said:
They both mean the same thing, except if you used the word "read" it wouldn't sound as fitting within the context of the sentence. You know that, and so does everyone else on the board. Tool.
Click to expand...


My post has nothing to do with you. So why you posted in response to it I don't know. You'd have to read the random thread to understand our jokes. Its an inside joke between me and Nikki.

So **** off!!!!!!!!!!!! What your problem is, I don't know. But there's no reason to attack me or my post which had nothing to do with you.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
gujuDoc said:
My post has nothing to do with you. So why you posted in response to it I don't know. You'd have to read the random thread to understand our jokes. Its an inside joke between me and Nikki.

So **** off!!!!!!!!!!!! What your problem is, I don't know. But there's no reason to attack me or my post which had nothing to do with you.
Click to expand...
give 'em hell, guju 😀
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
percywilkins said:
They both mean the same thing, except if you used the word "read" it wouldn't sound as fitting within the context of the sentence. You know that, and so does everyone else on the board. Tool.
Click to expand...

this is the dumbest thing i have ever read
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
percywilkins said:
They both mean the same thing, except if you used the word "read" it wouldn't sound as fitting within the context of the sentence. You know that, and so does everyone else on the board. Tool.
Click to expand...


BTW, the only one on here that's a tool is yourself. Your other posts are not too much more then what amounts to insulting others and making ignorant comments such as what you said on the DO threads
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Percy, get a few more posts and you will be taken seriously. A$$Hol3

Guju's got a posse. All you've got is your thumb up your A$$. 👍
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
These posts are hilarious. If only I had an internet posse... :laugh:

I still stand by my original statement.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
The dumbest thing I've ever read was someone posting over and over fishing for posts to relieve their anxieties about their grades and "chances".

Be careful who you are snotty to, newbie.

People don't take too kindly to jerks around here.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Nikki2002 said:
yeah we're the kind of posse that will kick you in the balls
Click to expand...

Yeah, ask the short guy who stole beary's pad...he's got a bounty on his head.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I enjoy using the 0.7s when doing Calculus homework. I suspect that I will use the same when taking the MCAT as well. In my opinion, the leads are optimized if rotated frequently. Proper pressure should be placed on the eraser (if one chooses to use the built-in) while firmly grasping between the shaft of the writing instrument and erasing accessory to prevent inadvertent advancing of the delicate lead.







You're right...close this thread. I tried. Gosh, I tried.
😛
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
What is going on here?? Hahaha..

To get back to the mechanical pencil query .. I come from a school system obsessed with scantronning exams, even the daily ones. I've used mechanical pencils since primary school - the only precaution you should have is to use the right lead that is dark enough to be read, in most cases, 2B.

I don't personally feel any difference between .5 mm and .7 mm, but I guess .7 mm means quicker time in filling the bubbles? But I think .5 mm is the most standard size for both pencil and lead, so I've always used that. I personally find mechanical pencils easier to use when filling in bubbles. And they're neater and always sharp!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
Hope for Low MCAT Applicants
Replies
2
Views
2K
buhbye
B
blue_muse47
August 16th MCAT too late for this cycle?
Replies
3
Views
2K
blue_muse47
blue_muse47
graycar
Are there July MCAT slots available for 12th/25th ?
Replies
0
Views
1K
graycar
graycar
D
  • Question Question
july 12th mcat , is it late for the TMDSAS cycle?
Replies
2
Views
2K
wysdoc
wysdoc
H
Need Advice for MCAT
Replies
3
Views
2K
noah__ollie
noah__ollie
Top