Pen or Pencil for biology exam?

[APPLEhead]

Pen or Pencil for biology exam?

[curry_bro]

pencil for multiple choice (u have to shade in bubbles like the aims/naplan tests)
pen for short-answer (specifically blue or black pen)

[alphamale]

Multiple choice with has to be in pencil to mark the accompanying answer sheet.

If you have seen past exams, the short answer section has to be done in pen.

So bring both for the exam. 

[APPLEhead]

Ok, thanks for letting me know

But will I be penalized if I used pencil for the short answer section? Because we're not allowed to use whiteout, and if I cross it out with pen, I might not have space to write my new answer.

[curry_bro]

Ok, thanks for letting me know

But will I be penalized if I used pencil for the short answer section? Because we're not allowed to use whiteout, and if I cross it out with pen, I might not have space to write my new answer.

well i dont noe if ull be penalised, but ive heard some pretty stuffed up stories of examiners rubbing out answers so that they have less to correct. (examiners only correct short answer remember - multiple choice is done via computer). and also, if u write in pencil, there is a high chance that ur answers will end up smudging and the examiner may not be able to properly read you answers when they finally get the papers, which may lead to mark loss. if you really want to avoid the 'crossing out-space issue', concoct answers to as many questions as possible BEFORE u begin writing. This reduces the likelihood of making careless mistakes and concequently also prevents crossing out. if u have to cross stuff out, just indicate on the exam that you have written the answer elsewhere, so that the examiner knows where to find ur actual answer (although, try avoiding this scenario as much as possible - simplifies things if u just dont cross out stuff too much) 

[Starlight]

Yeah don't use pencil for short answer, it will probably smudge and you'll probably have to spend time rewriting smudged sentences etc. But there are some good pens that you can rub out which don't smudge

[ligands]

Yeah don't use pencil for short answer, it will probably smudge and you'll probably have to spend time rewriting smudged sentences etc. But there are some good pens that you can rub out which don't smudge

know any good pens worth the purchase? or just trial an error till you find one?

[Starlight]

Yeah don't use pencil for short answer, it will probably smudge and you'll probably have to spend time rewriting smudged sentences etc. But there are some good pens that you can rub out which don't smudge

know any good pens worth the purchase? or just trial an error till you find one?

I have one called frixion ball pen (pilot) that looks like this http://www.google.com.au/imgres?q=frixion+ball+pilot&um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=N&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1366&bih=609&tbm=isch&tbnid=pXc3ldz1gXXOYM:&imgrefurl=http://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-FriXion-Ball-Knock-Retractable-Gel-Ink-Pen-0.7-mm-Blue/pd/5952&docid=V-wClwJgzKyatM&imgurl=http://static.jetpens.com/images/a/000/018/18435.jpg&w=600&h=400&ei=0tDAT86CMqe6iQfP1KSfCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=792&vpy=329&dur=853&hovh=183&hovw=275&tx=191&ty=156&sig=116848584437858032554&page=1&tbnh=128&tbnw=180&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0,i:109

[saheh]

Shouldnt use those pens that can be erased because they can rub too and aren't recommended for exam papers

[Starlight]

Shouldnt use those pens that can be erased because they can rub too and aren't recommended for exam papers

Mine doesn't rub away. :S

[curry_bro]

just use a pen ur most comfortable with (so long as its blue or black). make sure it has perfect grip, is a nice colour, isnt too big or too small etc etc. make sure u are as comfortable as possible. u dont need any extra stress associated with crappy pens. and also, make sure u take like 5ish pens and pencils/pacers into the exam room. u really dont want ur only pen to run out/stop working in the middle of the exam.

[HERculina]

If you're really uncomfortable with writing with a pen, then just use the pencil. I did and didn't get penalized or anything.
Maybe write in a darker pencil just in case though

[curry_bro]

if u really want to use a pencil, i would recommend using a dark leaded pacer. pacers are neater than pencils and you wont have to waste time trying to get them to work as u would if u had to sharpen ur pencil every 5 minutes. also, pacer lead tends not to smudge as much for some reason (something to with the specific type of lead?)

[LOLs99]

Shouldnt use those pens that can be erased because they can rub too and aren't recommended for exam papers

Mine doesn't rub away. :S

The ink on the paper could disappear if exceeds the optimum range of temperature.

[RedMasta]

Bring both, pencil will help with multiple choice (Preferably 2B) and use a pen (black or blue) for short answers. The pencil will prove helpful with multiple choice, seeing as from some people's track record, they change their mind half way through shading their answer in. Pen will help with short answer, as not only may it look neater, but you can write quite faster, and will help overall.