What to Bring for the ACT: Complete Test Day Checklist

Walking into the ACT unprepared is stressful enough without realizing at the door that your calculator is banned or your admission ticket is sitting on your kitchen table. So here’s the direct answer to what to bring for the ACT: your printed admission ticket, a valid photo ID, two No. 2 pencils, an approved calculator, and a watch without an alarm. Everything else is optional or prohibited. The official rules come from ACT, and getting them right before test morning prevents the worst-case scenario: being turned away at check-in.

The Non-Negotiables: What You Must Have

Your admission ticket. Print a paper copy from your ACT web account. Don’t rely on a screenshot or an email confirmation.

A valid photo ID. The name on your ID must match your registration exactly. Acceptable forms include a current school ID, driver’s license, passport, or state-issued ID. Check ACT’s specific ID requirements if your school ID doesn’t include a photo.

Two No. 2 pencils with erasers. Mechanical pencils and pens are not allowed on the multiple-choice sections. Bring a third pencil if you’re superstitious; there’s no penalty.

An approved calculator. This is where students most often go wrong. ACT publishes a list of permitted models, and a handful of otherwise normal calculators are banned — including models with built-in computer algebra systems, like the TI-89 and TI-Nspire CAS. Your calculator must also not have wireless capability or a paper tape. If you’re unsure whether yours qualifies, check the official list on ACT before test day.

A short worked example

Say your registration name reads “Alexandra M. Reyes” but your school ID says “Alex Reyes.” That mismatch can cause a check-in problem. Bring a second form of ID or ask ACT ahead of time, and register under the exact name on your primary ID going forward.

What You Can Bring (and Should Consider)

Nothing here is required, but each item can make the day smoother.

• A watch without an alarm. The room clock may be behind you or hard to read. ACT allows a basic watch as long as it doesn’t beep, and proctors will confiscate anything with a sound.
• A snack and water. You get a short break after the second section. Eat something with protein or complex carbs, not a candy bar that spikes and crashes your focus.
• A spare calculator and extra batteries. Approved calculators run on batteries that die. A backup is cheap insurance.
• Tissues and a light jacket. Rooms run cold, and you can’t do much about it once testing starts.

Snacks must be eaten outside the testing room, and water bottles should be clear if your test center enforces that rule.

What to Leave at Home

The prohibited list is strict, and violating it can get you dismissed — not just warned.

• Phones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers. Power them off completely and leave them in your bag, not your pocket. A buzzing phone in the testing room is grounds for dismissal.
• Any device that beeps, records, or connects. That includes earbuds, Bluetooth devices, and camera-enabled gadgets.
• Notes, scratch paper, highlighters, and colored pens. The test center provides scratch paper if you need it.
• Dictionaries, thesauruses, and reference sheets. None are permitted.
• Food or drink at your desk. Save it for break.

Proctors are trained to enforce these rules, and the stakes — a canceled score and a lost test fee — are high.

Packing the night before

Do this the evening before, not the morning of:

1. Print your ticket and place it with your ID in your bag.
2. Sharpen or set aside your pencils and confirm your calculator is on the approved list and working.
3. Set out your watch, snack, water, and jacket.
4. Leave your phone off and in your bag.
5. Set two alarms.

Arrive at least by the check-in time on your ticket. Late arrivals are typically not admitted, and there’s no make-up session for a missed check-in. Plan your route the day before, especially if you’re testing at an unfamiliar school. If you have a documented need for accommodations, confirm with ACT in advance that they’re approved; you can’t arrange them on test day.

Adapting the List to Your Testing Situation

Testing at your own school. You may already know the room and how cold it gets. You can travel lighter, but don’t skip the ID — familiarity with the building doesn’t exempt you from check-in requirements.

Testing at an unfamiliar center. Add buffer time and confirm parking or public transit in advance. If you’re arriving by car with a parent, agree on a pickup point so you’re not searching for each other afterward.

Testing with approved accommodations. If you have extended time or a separate setting, your room and schedule may differ from the standard flow. Confirm the details ahead of time, and bring the same core items regardless of the room.

For students juggling multiple admissions tests, note that rules differ between exams. The College Board sets separate policies for the SAT, so don’t assume a calculator or ID that works for one automatically works for the other. Always check the specific test’s current guidelines.

Key Takeaways

• Required items: printed admission ticket, valid photo ID, two No. 2 pencils, and an approved calculator.
• Mechanical pencils, pens, and CAS calculators like the TI-89 are not allowed.
• Phones and smartwatches must be off and out of the testing room — a violation can cancel your score.
• A basic watch, snack, water, and spare calculator make the day easier but aren’t mandatory.
• Verify your calculator against the official ACT list before test day, and pack everything the night before so nothing is left to chance.