Dmmetler Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I have a teen student who is taking the ACT next month and is allergic to cedar to the point that holding a regular pencil makes her break out in hives. She uses mechanical pencils, but those aren't allowed on the ACT. Does anyone recommend a basswood or woodless pencil that works on the ACT that she can order online? Bonus points for Amazon prime eligible or as an add-on at Amazon, since if needed I could order for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Something like this? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N4VFANW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489945047&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=mechanical+pencil+wide+tip&dpPl=1&dpID=41CSwjE8eEL&ref=plSrch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 (edited) Or these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001CD9RRG/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489945239&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=2+mechanical+pencil&dpPl=1&dpID=514t0WdFidL&ref=plSrch Edited March 19, 2017 by maize Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 These are a bit thicker: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CRGP8B6/ref=psdcmw_1069816_t3_B001CD9RRG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 19, 2017 Author Share Posted March 19, 2017 The ACT booklet explicitly states that mechanical pencils are not allowed, so I don't think any of those would work-even if they actually would be fine. The last thing we want is for her to be forced to use a pencil that makes her break out (which would be pretty distracting, at best) or to be refused admission because she is using the wrong pencil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I would contact the ACT folks and clarify; thin lead mechanical pencils have harder leads, which is probably why the ACT recommends against them. A mechanical pencil with a #2 lead should be fine. I would try to get a written notice from ACT to that effect in case a local administrator gets finicky about it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Or use one of these since someone would have to look really closely to see it is not an ordinary wood pencil https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B013VLAWFM/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1489946269&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=paper+pencils+%232&dpPl=1&dpID=41V5tn8U3ML&ref=plSrch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shifra Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 There are pencils made out of recycled newspaper like Treesmart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I typed in woodless pencil no. 2 and got these. They look like they would work and have good reviews. They appear to be No. 2 and made completely of graphite. https://www.amazon.com/Staedtler-allXWrite-Woodless-Graphite-Pencils/dp/B00SAU8APE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1489950277&sr=8-2&keywords=woodless+pencil+no.+2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 I would contact the ACT folks and clarify; thin lead mechanical pencils have harder leads, which is probably why the ACT recommends against them. A mechanical pencil with a #2 lead should be fine. I would try to get a written notice from ACT to that effect in case a local administrator gets finicky about it. ACT won't let students use mechanical pencils because people have been known to wrap pieces of paper with notes inside the barrel of the pencil to cheat. It has nothing to do with the lead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Ah I see. The recycled paper pencils are also available on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Recycled-Newspaper-Pencils-Set-24/dp/B008G3Z2O2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 The reason for no mechanical pencils is that so no paper bits can be smuggled in. They check pretty carefully here. Thanks! I was wondering why proctors weren't allowing mechanicals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Does anyone know if they'll throw you out if you have a mechanical pencil? I don't think they are really careful here, but I don't want DD to get disqualified. She won't break out like the OP's example, but she can't stand normal pencils. The only kind I can get her to use (for math) is mechanical pencils. Sigh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 (edited) We have used wordless pencils made from recycled materials that were given out on Earth Day. They were pretty good. Does anyone know if they'll throw you out if you have a mechanical pencilI don't think the proctors would disqualify her but they could confiscate all other writing instruments which means she had nothing left to use if she didn't bring the usual pencils. "Bring sharpened, soft lead No. 2 pencils with good erasers (no mechanical pencils or ink pens). Do not bring any other writing instruments; you will not be allowed to use them. If you are registered for the ACT with writing, your essay must also be completed in pencil." http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-day.html Here they start sitting the kids at 7:30am, close gates at 8am and start at close to 9am. So plenty of time for proctors to check. My oldest test room had 3 proctors to less than 30 students. We won't allowed to walk youngest to his test room but it was less than 20 kids per room. Edited March 20, 2017 by Arcadia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted March 20, 2017 Share Posted March 20, 2017 Bic evolution pencils are wood free resin. They do ones with and without erasers but the ones with erasers are harder to find. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted March 21, 2017 Share Posted March 21, 2017 Does anyone know if they'll throw you out if you have a mechanical pencil? I don't think they are really careful here, but I don't want DD to get disqualified. She won't break out like the OP's example, but she can't stand normal pencils. The only kind I can get her to use (for math) is mechanical pencils. Sigh. DD brought one to the SAT, and thankfully the teacher had brought regular pencils. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted March 21, 2017 Author Share Posted March 21, 2017 I think the newspaper or plastic ones would work well. I also think she might enjoy making her own, but I could see those being less than comfortable to use, especially for the essay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.