Why do Scantrons need #2 pencils?

Scantrons use #2 pencils so the machine is able to identify your markings and read your answers. There's a popular myth that using a #1 or another type of pencil will somehow trick the machine into giving you a better score. But using a different pencil won't get you a better score on your test. In fact, using anything besides a #2 pencil could cause you to fail your test. If you don’t use a #2 pencil on your Scantron, the grading machine might not be able to read it. If that’s the case, you could end up getting a 0 on the test. It’s better to use the right pencil and get an actual score than to risk it for a failed grade.