SAT Strategy
What to Bring to the SAT: Complete Test Day Bag List
Pack the required SAT device, ticket, physical ID, and scratch-work supplies; check current calculator rules and prohibited items before test day.
Bring your charged approved testing device with Bluebook ready, your current admission ticket, an acceptable original physical photo ID, and a pen or pencil. Pack a charger and a break snack. A personal calculator is optional because Bluebook has one built in.
Pack the essentials first
For SAT Weekend, the device needs Bluebook installed and exam setup completed. Do this on the device you plan to bring. Check its battery and the charging cable. An outlet is not guaranteed, so a charger does not replace a fully charged battery.
Bring the up-to-date admission ticket generated after setup. College Board prefers a printed ticket, though an electronic ticket is allowed for check-in. The ticket and the ID are separate requirements; one does not substitute for the other.
Your ID must be an acceptable original physical document. Digital IDs, screenshots, and photocopies do not qualify. Match your registration information and review the official requirements, including any country-specific rules, before test morning. If you are 21 or older, government-issued photo ID is required.
Know your College Board sign-in credentials. Bring a pen or pencil for scratch work; staff provide and collect the scratch paper. You do not need a number 2 pencil for a digital answer sheet.
A calculator is optional, but its policy is not
Bluebook includes an embedded calculator with graphing and scientific options for Math. You can use it without bringing a handheld calculator. Rehearse on Bluebook so you know where it is and how its input works.
If you bring a handheld calculator, check the current policy. CAS calculators and programs that perform symbolic algebra are prohibited. A calculator allowed for an AP exam is not automatically allowed for the SAT. Do not rely on an old prep book's approved-model list.
Remove the prohibited algebra programs and stored documents, clear saved formulas as required, and turn off sound. Check the batteries. If you use Desmos as your backup, practice with it before the test instead of first opening it after your handheld fails. The official calculator policy names restricted features and models.
Useful extras that solve a real problem
Bring a charging cable or portable charger compatible with your testing device. Pack water and a snack for the break, in packaging you can open quickly. A layer of clothing can help if the room is cooler than expected. These are practical choices, not scoring tools.
An external mouse is allowed. Bring one only if you have practiced with it and it helps your device use. A watch without an audible alarm can help time the break, but a smartwatch is prohibited. Bluebook already supplies the module timer.
If you have approved accommodations, check their equipment instructions separately. For example, the current bring list requires wired non-Bluetooth headphones for approved embedded text-to-speech. Do not infer that ordinary headphones are allowed for every test taker.
| Item | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Physical photo ID | Essential | Identity check |
| Current admission ticket | Essential for weekend check-in | Registration check |
| Prepared testing device | Essential unless a device is being provided | Runs Bluebook |
| Pen or pencil | Bring | Provided scratch paper |
| Handheld calculator | Optional; must meet current policy | Embedded calculator is available |
| Charger, water, snack | Useful | Battery backup and break needs |
Leave prohibited study aids out of the bag
Do not bring your own scratch paper, notes, formula sheets, books, or dictionaries into the test. The embedded Math reference sheet is available where permitted; your handwritten version is not an equivalent substitute. Electronic writing tools such as Apple Pencils and smart pens are prohibited.
Phones, smartwatches, and other unauthorized electronics cannot be accessed during testing or breaks. If you bring a phone for travel, follow the center's collection or storage procedure. Silencing notifications alone does not make it an allowed testing tool.
Headphones and other devices need the applicable approved accommodation. Read the current testing rules for the complete list rather than deciding that an item is allowed because it is small or unlikely to be noticed.
Check the setup that applies to your sitting
School-day testing uses your school's preparation and sign-in arrangements, which can differ from a weekend ticket. Follow the coordinator's instructions. If College Board is lending you a weekend device, follow the earlier arrival directions and on-site setup process.
Use the morning checklist after the bag is packed. Put the device, ID, ticket, and cable in the bag together, then check the latest center address and arrival time. A complete bag only helps if it travels with you to the correct center.
Sources
Luke Finigan is a student developer and the creator of 1600.now, a free Digital SAT practice platform. About Luke.