why can't we use gel pens in exams

Aidan4

title.

Reply 1

CloudyPenguin

Gel pens are harder to read through the scanner so regular black pens are highly recommended.
Hope this helps! :smile:

Reply 2

jamesh234

When they refer to gel pens, they generally mean sparkly or glittery ones which are coloured and they won't be picked up by the scanner. However, some gel pens such as muji pens with black ink will be fine as long as they don't smudge (I spoke to my exams officer about this as I write much faster with these pens and they said that it was fine). Either way, if it cannot be picked up by the scanner, they will not just invalidate your paper - the examiner will say that they can't see it and the physical exam paper will be sent to a senior examiner to be marked fully.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 3

Aidan4

it does, thank you. its just I've been using gel for my first 4 exams up to now, not realising I shouldn't be. This rests my mind as I've been worrying my papers would be upgradable or something. ill certainly be using normal ballpoint from now on!

Original post by CloudyPenguin

Gel pens are harder to read through the scanner so regular black pens are highly recommended.
Hope this helps! :smile:

Reply 4

Aidan4

thank you, I've been stressing but this has calmed me down

Original post by jamesh234

When they refer to gel pens, they generally mean sparkly or glittery ones which are coloured and they won't be picked up by the scanner. However, some gel pens such as muji pens with black ink will be fine as long as they don't smudge (I spoke to my exams officer about this as I write much faster with these pens and they said that it was fine). Either way, if it cannot be picked up by the examiner, they will not just invalidate your paper - the examiner will say that they can't see it and the physical exam paper will be sent to a senior examiner to be marked fully.

Reply 5

ghostczleb

I used a black gel pen in all the current gcses will it still count and will it be marked?

Original post by CloudyPenguin

Gel pens are harder to read through the scanner so regular black pens are highly recommended.
Hope this helps! :smile:

Reply 6

fluous

Original post by jamesh234

I also prefer gel pens but I switched to ink for exams and I'm pretty sure it's just gel pens in general (even the black ones) which aren't allowed because there's a higher likelihood that they'll smudge Though, that risk is really low and most people can get through all of their exams without any problems using a gel pen.