SAT Test Day Checklist: What to Bring & What to Do
Use this SAT test-day checklist for Bluebook, your device, admission ticket, ID, calculator, pencils, charging and morning preparation.
The night before the SAT, your job is not to learn another chapter.
Your job is to make sure a preventable logistics mistake does not ruin test day.
Required or essential items
For SAT Weekend, College Board currently tells students to bring:
- a fully charged acceptable testing device;
- Bluebook installed;
- exam setup completed;
- an up-to-date admission ticket;
- acceptable physical photo ID;
- pencils or pens for scratch work;
- College Board username and password;
- an approved calculator if you want to use a handheld one.
Bluebook also has a built-in Desmos calculator during Math.
Your testing device
Before test day:
- Install Bluebook.
- Complete exam setup.
- Generate your admission ticket.
- Charge the device fully.
- Confirm your login works.
College Board says your device needs to stay on for roughly three hours — see how long the SAT is for the full section-by-section timing.
Admission ticket
Your admission ticket becomes available after you complete exam setup.
A printed copy is preferred.
Keep it easy to access.
Photo ID
College Board requires acceptable physical identification for SAT Weekend students.
International testing has additional ID rules, and students outside the US should check their country requirements carefully.
Your ID information needs to match your registration.
Calculator
You may use:
- Bluebook's built-in Desmos;
- an approved non-CAS handheld calculator.
Do not bring a calculator with prohibited CAS functionality.
Pen or pencil
College Board provides scratch paper.
Bring a pen or pencil for your scratch work.
You do not need to bring your own paper.
Helpful extras
Consider:
- power cord;
- portable charger;
- snack;
- water;
- backup permitted calculator;
- extra calculator batteries.
Do not assume an outlet will be available.
Morning routine
Eat something familiar
Test day is not the time for a new energy drink experiment.
Arrive early
Give yourself time for check-in and unexpected delays.
Open Bluebook
Check for any last-minute test-center messages.
Silence your phone
Follow the proctor's instructions for storing it.
During the test
Do not spend time estimating your score.
A hard second module does not tell you exactly what score you are getting.
Focus on the question in front of you.
During the break
Use the break for:
- restroom;
- water;
- quick snack;
- reset.
Do not spend the break trying to reconstruct answers with other students.
What not to bring or use
College Board prohibits unauthorized devices and smart technology during testing.
Smartwatches and Bluetooth devices can create problems.
Follow the current official list.
If you haven't picked your test date yet, see SAT test dates 2026–27. For more on planning your testing timeline, browse our SAT dates and test-day guides.
Final checklist
- Bluebook installed
- Exam setup complete
- Device fully charged
- Admission ticket ready
- Physical photo ID ready
- College Board login known
- Pen/pencil packed
- Calculator checked
- Charger packed
- Snack/water packed
- Route checked
- Alarm set
Official sources
- College Board SAT What to Bring: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/what-to-bring-do/what-to-bring
- SAT Testing Rules: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/testing-rules/sat
Trademark note: SAT® is a registered trademark of College Board. MastaPrep is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by College Board.
Read next
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us and we will correct it and note the change.