Whats the difference between a #2 pencil and a regular one??

Answer 1

a number two pencil is able to be recognized by a scanning machine. other pencils won't be recognized and the scantron will think you didn't answer the questions

Answer 2

What is the difference between a regular pencil and a No.2 pencil?
Question:I would like to know why schools make such a big deal about using number 2 pencils durings regents and SATs. Is there any difference between pencils? They all look the same.

Answers:
Nothing. The number on the pencil refers to the hardness of the "lead" (actually graphite) used in it. A #2 pencil uses more compact lead and so smudges less and leaves clearer markings than a #1 pencil does. On the other hand, it's lead is softer than a #3 pencil, which would not leave a clear mark without pressing hard enough to tear the paper on which most tests are written.

Therefore, the administrators of the test require you to use a pencil with a #2 hardness lead in it, which is lucky for you because at this point, #2 pencils are pretty much the standard pencils you're going to find if you just go and buy a box of "pencils".

Addendum: The machine used to score the test couldn't tell whether or not you used the correct pencil lead, but like I said a #1 would likely smudge too much to make the test machine readable, and a #3 would tear through the paper, and the machine wouldn't be able to read it as a result. So long story short, it couldn't tell if you used the wrong lead, but it probably couldn't read the test properly if you did.

Answer 3

A regular pencil is a Number 2 pencil. Most of the time a #2 pencil is specified so people don't bring in an art pencil (on that you can smudge easily).

Answer 4

A 'reguler' pencil is usually an 'F' hardness. A #2 is slightly softer.

Doug

Answer 5

different darknesses