BIC Xtra-Smooth Pastel Mechanical Pencils – Distraction-Free Test Prep Set for Standardized Exams, 40-Count
BIC Xtra-Smooth Pastel Mechanical Pencils – Distraction-Free Test Prep Set for Standardized Exams, 40-Count
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Why you'll love it
- Never needs sharpening — click-advance eraser keeps students focused during class
- 40-count bulk pack offers strong per-pencil value compared to buying individually
- High-quality No. 2 lead erases cleanly without ghosting, keeping finished work looking neat
- Charitable 'Buy a BIC, Give a BIC' donation program makes the purchase feel purposeful
- Pastel barrel colors and clips add personality and prevent pencils from getting lost in backpacks
- Trusted as the #1 selling mechanical pencil brand in the United States
Perfect for
- Back-to-school supply stocking for the full semester or school year
- Standardized test-taking where No. 2 lead is required
- Everyday note-taking and homework without leaving the seat to sharpen
- Classroom share-supply drawer replenishment for teachers
- Left-handed writing without lead smudging on the page
What is Bring JOY BIC to School?
Every BIC product you buy, we will donate supplies to teachers in need.
Who did we partner with?
We partnered with Kids In Need Foundation to ensure students and teachers have the supplies and support they need. By helping them stock & ship Supply A Teacher boxes, we are providing the tools teachers need.
How does the Sweepstakes work?
1. Create and share your classroom supply wish list.
2. Make sure the wish list includes at least one BIC product.
3. Enter for a chance to have the wish list cleared in our Back-To-School Brand Store
Back to School Essentials
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Show your pastel personality
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The Right Pen for Every Task
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Color-Code with One Pen
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A Sharp Array of Pencils
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Smooth, Clean Corrections
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Permanent & Dry Erase Markers
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Study in Bright Color
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Product Information
BUY A BIC AND WE’LL GIVE A BIC: This back to school season, when you purchase BIC pencils, we will donate one to teachers and classrooms in need
BACK TO SCHOOL ESSENTIAL: One 40-count pack of BIC Xtra-Smooth No. 2 Mechanical Pencils with Pastel Barrels and Erasers, sized right for stocking a backpack, a pencil case, or a classroom supply drawer before the first day of school
BUILT FOR STUDENTS: The 0.7 mm medium point handles everyday schoolwork, class notes, homework, and standardized tests, always sharp without needing a sharpener
LEAD THAT DOESN'T SMUDGE AND ERASES CLEANLY: High-quality No. 2 lead writes dark and erases without leaving marks behind, so finished assignments and test answer sheets look neat
NO SHARPENING EVER NEEDED: Click the built-in eraser to advance the lead, which means students stay focused in class and never need to leave their seat to sharpen
TEACHER AND CLASSROOM READY: 40 pencils per pack gives teachers enough to stock a classroom supply drawer and gives parents enough to keep kids supplied from the first day of school through the end of the year
When the school supply list comes out, mechanical pencils are always on it. BIC Xtra-Smooth Pastel Mechanical Pencils give students, parents, and teachers a reliable, long-lasting option that works from the first day of school through finals. The 0.7 mm medium point handles note-taking, homework, and standardized tests without ever needing a sharpener. High-quality No. 2 lead writes smoothly and darkly, doesn't smudge during left-handed or right-handed writing, and erases cleanly so finished work looks neat. Click the built-in eraser to advance the lead, keeping students focused on their work instead of looking for a sharpener. Colorful pastel barrel clips attach to notebooks and folders so pencils don't disappear into a backpack. The 40-count bulk pack is sized for a teacher stocking a classroom supply drawer, a parent loading up for the school year, or a student who wants to be set for the full semester. The number one selling mechanical pencil brand in the United States, trusted by students and teachers across the country.Writing Instrument Form: Mechanical Graphite Pencil
Ink Color: Black
Drill Point: Fine
Additional Features: Erasable
Line Size: 0_7mm
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Grip Type: Smooth
Hardness: HB
Writing Technique: pencil lead
Closure Type: Retractable
Color: Pastel Edition
Theme: artistic/stationery
Style: Pastel Edition
Body Shape: Round
Item Dimensions: 6 x 5.63 x 1 inches
Item Weight: 3.36 ounces
Age Range Description: Adult
Model Name: Xtra-Smooth
Recommended Uses For Product: Writing
Included Components: 40 Pencils
Global Trade Identification Number: 00070330393271, 00070330435513
Warranty Description: BIC Performance Policy
Item Type Name: Retractable
Material Type: Plastic
Ink Base: Water
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these pencils help me stay focused during long study sessions?
Yes. Because they never need sharpening, you stay in your seat and in your flow instead of breaking concentration to hunt down a sharpener. A single click advances fresh lead, so your attention stays on the work, not the tool.
Is the 0.7 mm point good for taking notes in fast-moving lectures?
The 0.7 mm medium point is the most widely recommended size for college and lecture-hall note-taking. It is thick enough to read at a glance, dark enough to scan quickly, and fine enough to fit full sentences on a standard ruled page.
Does the lead erase cleanly enough for finished work?
Yes. The No. 2 HB lead is engineered to erase with minimal ghosting, so corrected notes, homework, and tests look clean. This is especially useful for students turning in polished work or studying from notes later.
Can I use these for standardized tests?
Yes. The 0.7 mm No. 2 lead meets the standard pencil requirement for SAT, ACT, and most state standardized tests. You will want to confirm the specific rules for your exam, but No. 2 mechanical pencils are accepted almost universally.
Is the bulk 40-count pack efficient for a full semester of work?
A 40-count pack is sized to cover an entire semester or school year for a single user, with plenty of spares for lost or borrowed pencils. For office managers or homeschool co-ops, the same pack covers a full shared supply closet.
Is this a good mechanical pencil for a college student?
Yes. College students use these for lectures, library study sessions, dorm-room homework, and standardized test prep. The bulk pack is also a smart move-in purchase so a single Amazon order covers the year.
Is this a good mechanical pencil for a working professional?
Yes. The clean eraser, No. 2 lead, and no-sharpener design make it a strong everyday tool for meeting notes, to-do lists, and editing work. The 40-count pack is well suited to office supply closets that need to be stocked for a quarter or longer.
Is this a good mechanical pencil for a teacher stocking a classroom drawer?
Yes. Teachers consistently choose the BIC Xtra-Smooth bulk pack for shared classroom supply drawers because the click-advance eraser means no sharpener is needed at the teacher's desk, and there are always enough pencils on hand for every student.
Does the click-advance eraser save time compared to sharpening?
Significantly. Each click delivers a fresh point in under a second, while sharpening takes 15 to 30 seconds per pencil. Across a school day, that adds up to meaningful time saved, especially in shared supply settings.
Can I refill the lead and eraser when they run out?
Yes. Standard 0.7 mm HB lead refills fit the barrel, and replacement erasers for click-advance mechanical pencils are widely available. This makes the pencil a long-term tool rather than a disposable one.
How do these compare to wooden No. 2 pencils for productivity?
Wooden pencils require frequent sharpening, which interrupts writing and wastes lead. Mechanical pencils like this BIC deliver a consistent point on demand, which is why they are the standard tool in test-taking and note-taking environments.
How do these compare to higher-end mechanical pencils like a Pentel or Pilot?
Premium mechanical pencils often have weighted metal barrels and finer lead sizes, but the BIC Xtra-Smooth delivers the same No. 2 lead, a functional eraser, and a click-advance mechanism at a fraction of the per-pencil cost, which is why it dominates bulk school and office purchases.
How do these compare to a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil for writing?
A 0.5 mm lead produces finer lines, which some writers prefer for detailed note-taking, but it breaks more easily and is not always accepted on standardized tests. The 0.7 mm lead on this BIC is the safer all-purpose choice for school and office work.
Will the click mechanism get loose or jam over time?
The click-advance mechanism is built to last through the life of the lead supply, and the round plastic barrel holds up well to daily classroom or office use. With normal care, the pencil remains reliable for the full school year.
Is the eraser large enough to last for the full 40-pack of lead?
The built-in eraser is sized for the lead capacity of the pencil. For high-volume users, replacement erasers and lead refills are inexpensive and easy to source, extending the useful life of the pencil well beyond a single lead cycle.
What if I am left-handed — will the lead smudge under my hand?
The graphite is formulated to be smudge-resistant, so left-handed writers get clean lines without the streaking that often comes with softer leads. Combined with the medium point, this makes the pencil a strong choice for ambidextrous use.
How do I load lead into a BIC Xtra-Smooth mechanical pencil?
To refill, remove the eraser cap, drop standard 0.7 mm HB lead sticks into the barrel one at a time, and replace the cap. Click the eraser a few times to advance the new lead to the tip. No tools are required.
How do I advance the lead without sharpening?
Click the eraser end of the pencil downward. Each click advances a fresh length of 0.7 mm No. 2 lead. There is no sharpener needed at any point during the life of the pencil.
How do I replace the eraser when it wears out?
Pull the old eraser out of the cap and press a standard replacement eraser for click-advance mechanical pencils into the same slot. Replacement erasers are widely available in multi-packs and cost very little.
Does this pencil work with standard 0.7 mm lead refills from other brands?
Yes. The pencil accepts any standard 0.7 mm HB lead refill, including third-party brands. There is no proprietary lead requirement.
Is the lead compatible with standard pencil sharpeners if I want a finer point?
Mechanical pencil leads are bonded with a clay binder and are not designed to be sharpened. If you want a finer point, switch to a 0.5 mm lead refill rather than attempting to sharpen the 0.7 mm lead.
What is included in the 40-count pack?
The pack contains 40 BIC Xtra-Smooth Pastel Mechanical Pencils, each preloaded with 0.7 mm No. 2 lead and a built-in click-advance eraser. Lead refills and replacement erasers are sold separately.
Are the pencils safe for daily use by children and adults?
Yes. The lead is non-toxic graphite, the barrel is durable plastic, and there are no sharp edges or moving parts that pose a risk during normal writing. The pencils are designed for K-12, college, and office use.
Will the lead break easily if I write with heavy pressure?
The 0.7 mm medium point is more break-resistant than ultra-fine leads and tolerates normal writing pressure well. Very heavy pressure can break any mechanical lead, but for typical school and office use, the lead holds up reliably.
What is the difference between a mechanical pencil and a wooden pencil?
A wooden pencil uses a graphite core encased in wood and must be sharpened as it wears down. A mechanical pencil uses thin, replaceable lead held in a plastic barrel and advances fresh lead with a click. Mechanical pencils never need a sharpener, produce no shavings, and maintain a consistent point throughout use.
