Using pencils in ACCA exams?

SA1

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the ruling is on using pencil in ACCA exams. I am doing tax and have a fair idea I will be adjusting my workings which would look a mess if I did it in pen. I was hoping to do the calculations in pencil and rest in pen. Any info greatly appreciated!

maybeso

I had Mel Kilkenny and he suggested to do exactly that - put workings in pencil and the rest in pen. That is for P6. I know they are rolling out 'black pen only' for some other subjects so not sure how that applies if you are doing F tax.

Pugmister

All you can use in the Dec 09 exam session is black ball point. They issued strict instruction about this a few weeks back

djk1000

Yep, black ballpoint pen only and for the "on screen marking" exams no tippex.

SA1

Thanks guys. So basically you can only use black pen. I presume the tax exams aren't on screen marking this sitting ( so can use tippex etc ) ?

djk1000

Just to add to the confusion, I've just had a look at exam attendance stuff. I got in the post.

F1 F5 F7 P1 P2 P3 are all now on screen marking, black ballpoint pen only, no correction fluid.

There is no clear instruction about the rest of the exams (including F6), apart from one of the regulations saying that you may take pens, pencils, ruler, eraser and correction fluid etc, to your desk. Nothing specifically saying black ballpoint pen, except for filling in the candidate registration sheet.

Can anyone clarify?

Roger.Ramjet

From the ACCA Archive of past issues (May 2008) in the Student Accountant magazine.... think it is discouraged but maybe for the time being tolerated (other than the ones they are now marking online) .... I haven't done any ACCA exams in the past so can't be sure on that i.e. whether you will get away with a using a pencil... I'll be sticking to the black pen!

Can I use different colour pens or pencils, or use correction fluid?

You should not use pencil, or red or green pens. Pencil is not permanent, and red and green pens are used by markers and examiners. Although blue pens are permitted, black pens are the best choice because they are the clearest. Furthermore, for exams with multiple-choice questions which are answered on the Candidate Registration Sheet, a black pen is the only option because the sheets are optically scanned. White correction fluid may be used, but this is inadvisable as it takes time to dry and you could accidentally cover other written material if a page is turned over before the fluid has completely dried. It is much better to cross items out clearly with a bold black line. This is both clear to the marker and saves you time.

Fidget

Yes, black "ball point" pen is specifically stated. Something I found quite amusing in the list of what not to use was "glitter pens". What a laugh! Imagine anybody doing an exam using a glitter pen! I expect it's probably happened and why they've specifically mention it.