In short
Bring a fully charged device with Bluebook installed and exam setup done, your admission ticket, an original photo ID, pencils or pens, a charger and snacks for the break. An approved calculator is optional. Phones, smartwatches, headphones and your own scratch paper are not allowed during the test or breaks.
Most test day problems happen before the first question: a device that will not start, an admission ticket nobody generated, an ID that does not match. This checklist covers what to prepare in the week before, what to pack the night before, and what to leave at home.
The short list: what to bring
- Your testing device, fully charged, with Bluebook installed and exam setup complete
- Your admission ticket, printed or saved as a photo or email
- An acceptable photo ID, physical and original
- Pencils or pens for scratch work (scratch paper is provided)
- A charger or portable battery, since outlets are not guaranteed
- An approved calculator (optional, Bluebook has Desmos built in)
- Snacks and a drink for the break
- A simple watch without alarms or timers (optional)
One week before
Install or update Bluebook. College Board recommends downloading the app well ahead of test day. Open it, sign in and check that your device is supported: a Windows laptop or tablet, a Mac, an iPad, or a school managed Chromebook. Personal Chromebooks and phones are not allowed.
Complete exam setup. Exam setup opens in Bluebook in the days before the test. When you finish it, Bluebook generates your admission ticket. Without exam setup you cannot test, so do it as soon as it opens rather than the night before.
Check your device battery. Your device needs to stay on for about three hours, and College Board suggests a battery that can hold a charge for three to four. If yours cannot, pack a charger and a portable battery.
Check your ID. It must be original, unexpired and in your full legal name exactly as on your admission ticket. If you are taking the test in another country, it must be a passport. Read more in our guide to registering for the SAT as an international student.
Take a short practice run. Do one timed module in Bluebook on the same device, so the tools and the layout feel normal.
The night before
- Charge your device to 100 percent and close other apps.
- Put your device, charger, ID, admission ticket, pencils and snacks in one bag.
- Check the arrival time on your admission ticket and plan your route.
- Stop studying early. A rested brain earns more points than one more practice set.
What to leave at home
These items are not allowed during the test or during breaks:
- Using a phone. If you bring one, follow your center's process: staff may collect and hold phones for the whole test, including breaks, or ask you to store them in your bag away from your desk. A phone that makes a sound or is seen at any time can get you dismissed and your scores cancelled.
- Smartwatches, fitness trackers and any watch that beeps or has a timer
- Headphones and earbuds, unless approved for an accommodation
- Your own scratch paper, books and notes
- Any other electronic device besides your testing device and an approved calculator
On test day
Arrive on time. On a typical Saturday, doors open around 7:45 a.m. and close at 8:00 a.m. Students borrowing a College Board device arrive earlier. Your admission ticket shows the exact time for your center.
During the break. There is one 10-minute break between Reading and Writing and Math. Leave your device open, keep your ID with you, and leave your calculator on the desk. Eat something and drink water.
If something goes wrong. If your device or calculator has a problem, raise your hand and tell the proctor. Bluebook saves your progress, and if your own calculator fails you can keep working with the built-in Desmos calculator.
After the test
Scores from weekend tests are usually released about two weeks after test day, and always within two to four weeks. You can still change your four free score report recipients until nine days after the test. See the exact release date for your test on our SAT test dates page, and read how long the SAT is for the full test day timeline.
Find your own pace
Take a full-length Digital SAT practice test with real module timing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to print my SAT admission ticket?
You can print it, take a photo of it or email it to yourself. It is generated in Bluebook when you complete exam setup in the days before the test.
Can I bring my phone to the SAT?
You may not use it at any time, including breaks. Follow your center's process: staff may collect phones or ask you to store them away from your desk. A phone that makes noise can get your scores cancelled.
Is scratch paper provided on the SAT?
Yes. Scratch paper is provided, and you should not bring your own. Bring pencils or pens to write with.