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Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University
Reviewed: 04/26/23
Are you writing the ACT soon? Are you curious about what to bring to the ACT and what to leave at home? This guide has got you covered!
The ACT, like the SAT, is an entrance exam that many colleges use to review candidates during the admissions process. While several colleges are becoming test-optional, the ACT is still written by over 1 million students a year nation-wide!
With the stress of preparing for your test, getting there on time, and acing it, it can be easy to overlook what to bring to the ACT. To ensure you have everything you need to write the ACT, this guide will go over what you should and shouldn’t bring on test day!
Let’s start with what you should bring:
To ensure your photo ID will be accepted, check it against this criteria:
Similarly, if you’re wondering if your calculator is permitted for the ACT, the following calculators are prohibited:
In test centers that offer computer-based testing, you may have an on-screen calculator available, but should also bring your own for safe measures.
Here’s what you shouldn’t bring to the ACT:
Of course, you will not have access to your cell phones. While you can keep them on you, they must be out of sight and you must follow these rules:
Double-check that you’ve turned off any alarms, have silenced your phone, and turned it off before you enter the test center. If you can, you should avoid bringing it into the test center completely to prevent any mishaps.
As part of the agreement you sign during the registration process, you acknowledge the test center’s right to cancel your test or scores if you fail to follow any of these regulations.
In this guide, we’ve answered the main question, “what should a student bring to the ACT test?” For any additional inquiries about what to bring to the ACT, read on to find your answers.
Yes, you can bring a water bottle to the ACT, but will have to leave it in your backpack during the test. You will only be allowed to drink from it during your break(s).
Considering you’ll need to arrive at your ACT test center by 8:00 am, you’ll likely skip breakfast, either because of nerves or to make sure you get to the center on time. The exam will be three to three-and-a-half-hours long, so bringing snacks can prevent your hunger from distracting you during your exam!
Yes, you may bring a permitted calculator to the ACT. Computer-based testing centers typically have on-screen calculators that you can use, but you may bring one or two of your own calculators as well.
There are certain calculators you are prohibited from bringing, and simple modifications you must make to your calculators if they have certain functions:
If you’d like to bring extra batteries for your calculator to avoid any issues, you are permitted to do so.
While you can bring your cell phone to the ACT as long as it is off, out of sight, and silent, you should avoid bringing it into the test center if you can. You won’t be able to use it during your breaks anyway, so there is no point having it!
You will get one ten minute break once you’ve completed the English and Math sections of the ACT. If you’re also writing the optional essay, you will receive a five minute break before the writing section.
Create a checklist for yourself of what to bring to the ACT and go over it the night before your test. Pick a comfortable outfit, have all of your snacks packed, your pencils sharpened, and your admission ticket printed so you can start your test on the right foot, without any hassle!
Good luck on your exam!
Reviewed by:
Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University
Reviewed: 04/26/23
Are you writing the ACT soon? Are you curious about what to bring to the ACT and what to leave at home? This guide has got you covered!
The ACT, like the SAT, is an entrance exam that many colleges use to review candidates during the admissions process. While several colleges are becoming test-optional, the ACT is still written by over 1 million students a year nation-wide!
With the stress of preparing for your test, getting there on time, and acing it, it can be easy to overlook what to bring to the ACT. To ensure you have everything you need to write the ACT, this guide will go over what you should and shouldn’t bring on test day!
Let’s start with what you should bring:
To ensure your photo ID will be accepted, check it against this criteria:
Similarly, if you’re wondering if your calculator is permitted for the ACT, the following calculators are prohibited:
In test centers that offer computer-based testing, you may have an on-screen calculator available, but should also bring your own for safe measures.
Here’s what you shouldn’t bring to the ACT:
Of course, you will not have access to your cell phones. While you can keep them on you, they must be out of sight and you must follow these rules:
Double-check that you’ve turned off any alarms, have silenced your phone, and turned it off before you enter the test center. If you can, you should avoid bringing it into the test center completely to prevent any mishaps.
As part of the agreement you sign during the registration process, you acknowledge the test center’s right to cancel your test or scores if you fail to follow any of these regulations.
In this guide, we’ve answered the main question, “what should a student bring to the ACT test?” For any additional inquiries about what to bring to the ACT, read on to find your answers.
Yes, you can bring a water bottle to the ACT, but will have to leave it in your backpack during the test. You will only be allowed to drink from it during your break(s).
Considering you’ll need to arrive at your ACT test center by 8:00 am, you’ll likely skip breakfast, either because of nerves or to make sure you get to the center on time. The exam will be three to three-and-a-half-hours long, so bringing snacks can prevent your hunger from distracting you during your exam!
Yes, you may bring a permitted calculator to the ACT. Computer-based testing centers typically have on-screen calculators that you can use, but you may bring one or two of your own calculators as well.
There are certain calculators you are prohibited from bringing, and simple modifications you must make to your calculators if they have certain functions:
If you’d like to bring extra batteries for your calculator to avoid any issues, you are permitted to do so.
While you can bring your cell phone to the ACT as long as it is off, out of sight, and silent, you should avoid bringing it into the test center if you can. You won’t be able to use it during your breaks anyway, so there is no point having it!
You will get one ten minute break once you’ve completed the English and Math sections of the ACT. If you’re also writing the optional essay, you will receive a five minute break before the writing section.
Create a checklist for yourself of what to bring to the ACT and go over it the night before your test. Pick a comfortable outfit, have all of your snacks packed, your pencils sharpened, and your admission ticket printed so you can start your test on the right foot, without any hassle!
Good luck on your exam!
