GCSE exam - pen used

[Assumptaann]

Hi, my dd has just come home saying that the invigilator told her not to use a black friction pen for her English exam, which was fine with my dd and she continued using a different black pen.
The problem now is that she can't remember what other exams she used this pen in, and the problems that it may cause. Does anyone have any insight into what will happen if she has used it in her other exams? I have read a couple of horror stories about ink disappearing but I don't want to scare her by telling her this until I have the full details, if indeed I tell her at all! Thank you.

[Ladymuck]

The JCQ rules for GCSEs state that you can't use erasable pens or correcting fluid. The school should have explained that they were not allowed. Agree that she should talk to exams officer.

[Assumptaann]

Oh dear!! What do you think will the exams officer will do? I am so afraid of panicking her, when there is probably nothing that she can do about it. Now very worried!!!

[Assumptaann]

Yes, they are the erasable ones.

[Assumptaann]

I'll call them now. Fingers crossed !

[Assumptaann]

Panic over! On closer questioning with her now in person, I thought she had maybe used the pen before today, but she hadn't! And she didn't even get to use it today as invigilator had it spotted. They're on the ball!

[Badbadbunny]

Gels are fine as long as they are quick drying. Some are slow so smudge. Left-handers in particular need a gel pen because they'll smudge if using a biro and because they're pushing the pen rather than pulling it, a gel is smoother and more comfortable. Using a biro would increase pain and cramps. Plenty of quick drying gels on the market - very popular indeed among the left handed community!

[trinity0097]

Your daughter will have been told countless times not to use erasable pens, it is one of the things that are specifically listed by the lead invigilator as not being allowed in the start of exam announcement.

It will get marked, but it may not scan correctly. Your exams officer has far bigger things to worry about that this and will be trying to enjoy a week off from the intense nature of the external exam system, you don't need to boer them, as there is precisely nothing that they can do about it! 99% sure that your exams officer is either drinking alcohol or eating chocolate feeling knackered!

Erasable pen ink disappears under intense heat, not a scanner, e.g. If you laminate a piece of work that has been written in frixon pen it will disappear, unless you then pop it in the freezer when it will reappear.

Exams officer and teacher!

[jeanne16]

Any scripts that do not scan are removed and marked separately. So if you use blue ink, it will actually be marked. This is not something anyone should do however.

[Olivo]

Really interested to read this, as I have used Frixion pens to mark and annotate controlled assessment for the past few years. I may be more careful in the future, although noone has ever mentioned it.

[BeauGlacons]

DS used one of these in a multiple choice exam. Biology c2011. I bought them for his sister and he decided to pick them up! We were worried. It was fine. He got an A* so presumably no detrimental impact.