Of all the things students prepare for before the SAT, the test dates, timing strategies, and practice drills, the humble pencil rarely makes the list. Yet every year, countless test-takers walk into their exam room only to be told: “That pencil isn’t allowed.” For 2026s' candidates, the situation is more nuanced. While the SAT in 202 6 is shifting toward a digital-first format, paper-based administrations are still common in certain regions, school-day settings, and for stu