<p>I feel like I did when I went into labor with S, my second.</p>
<p>"Oh God! I forgot! I changed my mind! I don't want to do this....!"</p>
<p>Seriously, I cannot remember what my D brought to the SATs. And now they are longer. And S is a junior.</p>
<p>The TI calculator, pencils, water, and can they bring food? Please help an over-the-hill parent who really should have had finished this part of child-rearing before her memory went to h***.</p>
<p>Yes, be SURE son has a snack AND a Coke that he can quickly down while waiting for the bathroom during the tiny break kids are given. And make sure he has a good brkfst first- this test is SOOOOO long that kids need a big energy boost that will keep them going a long time. Good luck!</p>
<p>The best food is granola bar type things and dried fruit. Lots of energy there.</p>
<p>Extra batteries or a back up calculator might not hurt, although TI-83s warn you about low batteries about 5 years before they actually fail. I also brought a pencil sharpener. A watch doesn't hurt either because sometimes the way the room is set up you don't have a good view of the clock without wasting time. In many instances you can probably request a seat change but the room could be full and better safe than sorry. At this time of year tissues aren't a bad idea. It's distracting when your nose is running and you're trying not to sniff in a silent room ;) </p>
<p>There is a five minute snack/bathroom break and some one minute or so breaks (you're not supposed to leave the room then I don't think). So have him take something that can be consumed quickly in case he also wants to use the bathroom. He should also know there's basically only one chance to use the bathroom so if he foresees any need whatsoever he'll probably want to take that chance then. There's a break right after the essay but that's only 25 minutes into the test. </p>
<p>He should wear layers that can be removed/added since a lot of schools have sketchy heating situations (it could be really hot or really cold). </p>
<p>You also need your ticket (they'll email you another one if you didn't print it when you register) and a photo ID. Yes they check the photo ID...you don't want to be the kid in the front frantically calling ten minutes before the test for your parent to bring your ID.</p>
<p>I can't believe I did this, but I got up and made him an omelette and hot whole-grain oatmeal! We live in a cold climate, so I figured just driving over there burns calories.
He's our VERY independent youngest, with oldster parents. Ordinarily, he assembles his own cold cereal, so he appreciated my insanity deeply.
We also sent granola bars (my idea) and a Coca Cola (his idea).</p>
<p>Some kids should also take Tylenol with them, if they're inclined towards headaches. I know, I know, zero tolerance...so sneak it.</p>
<p>We're in California so I'm thinking of making him a breakfast burrito:). </p>
<p>He can only eat during the breaks? Sheesh. Just how long is the dang test anyway?</p>
<p>Thanks for the info. It's a wonder D is even IN college given my level of ignorance.</p>
<p>Jeeze...I don't even remember what my son took. I have a vague memory of offering to make breakfast..which was laughed at. I remember asking if he had pencils..again, laughed at.<br>
Suggested taking food for the break...laughter again. </p>
<p>By the time they get to this point, they pretty much know what they need and so it goes.</p>
<p>The test itself is 3.5 hrs long, but they have to be there 1/2 hr before it starts. And if there are any problems- proctor doesn't know what to do, etc. it makes for a loooooong Sat.</p>
<p>I helped proctor a practice SAT at DS2's school in the fall. I could not believe the number of kids who did NOT bring calculators! </p>
<p>Hit the bathroom at the testing site before the festivities begin. It avoids the lines later.</p>
<p>DS1's list for Saturday:
watch
calculator (he changes the batteries the night before)
4-5 pencils
extra eraser
handkerchief
zippered hoodie
1 can Jolt
baggie of homemade baked goodies
his "Vini Vidi Vici" t-shirt (hey, it worked last weekend at the programming competition! :))
school ID on lanyard</p>
<p>And his breakfast of champions:<br>
2 bowls of Rice Krispies
1/2 lb. bacon, extra crispy (the kid needs protein, he's so darned skinny)</p>
<p>A stupid question - why no mechanical pencils???</p>
<p>from the e-mail sent to my son:
[quote]
<strong><em>WHAT TO BRING ON TEST DAY</em></strong>
* Your SAT Admission Ticket
* Acceptable photo identification -- read more about acceptable ID:
httphttp://click.collegeboard.com:80/11748197.56559.115185876.17049wo No. 2 pencils and a soft eraser. Mechanical pencils are
not allowed. Pens are not allowed.
* A calculator for the mathematics section. Read about acceptable
calculators -
httphttp://click.collegeboard.com:80/11748197.56559.115185876.17050* You may bring snacks. Although food or beverages cannot be opened
in the test room, you may stow them under your chair or desk and
consume them outside the test room during breaks.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Ah, the admissions ticket, I remember more than one SAT day searching vainly for that ticket. At least once I had a not yet 13 yo, so we weren't allowed to register on line. As I recall the year we couldn't find it, my son was on the list at the site.</p>
<p>I thought it might be helpful to post the list of what NOT to bring:</p>
<p>
[quote]
What Not to Bring to the Test Center</p>
<p>You may not bring the following items into the test room:</p>
<pre><code>* scratch paper
* notes, books, dictionary
* compass, protractor, ruler, or any other aid
* highlighter or colored pencils
* portable listening or recording device (unless you're taking a Language Test with Listening)
* camera or other photographic equipment
* timer or watch with audible alarm
* cell phone, pager, personal digital assistant, or other digital/electronic equipment. You will not be able to use a cell phone during the breaks. You should not bring a cell phone to the test center.
[/quote]
</code></pre>
<p>One reason mechanical pencils are not allowed -even if they are loaded with no.2 lead - has to do with the clicking mechanism which could be used to send coded signals. Same goes for pens - the ban on pens seems more obvious because the machine can't scan ink but they are not allowed in the testing room.</p>
<p>Aren't pens used for the essay writing?</p>
<p>You can use a pen for the essay portion only but you can't use it for the other sections - also, you can't bring in calculators that make unusual noises.</p>
<p>OMG. An email? Now I wonder if S is even registered....</p>
<p>I asked him about a ticket. He had no idea. And of course, any studying? Sure Mom, the night before:).</p>
<p>But at least if he is registered I will make sure he doesn't have a mechanical pencil.</p>
<p>Sorry but I want to rectify last post I made and go back to what I wrote first time - Associate Supervisor's Manual pens are not allowed even for the essay:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Students must use a No. 2 pencil, not a pen or a
mechanical pencil, and fill in each circle darkly and
completely for the identification information on
their answer sheet as well as for the answers to test
questions. Students may not use a pen to write
their essay. Because the information is read elec-
tronically, errors can cause score reporting problem
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Last time around, S forgot ticket and flew like a bat out of H to get home and back to the testing center on time.</p>
<p>DD & DS both took bananas, bars and chocolate covered expresso beans (for emergency wake up) especially son who is never really awake until 11 am...</p>
<p>Sometimes the breaks are really short, so a Hearty Breakfast is essential...</p>
<p>After mine registered for the test online an email was sent from CB stating where and when the test was to be, their names etc. and that is the 'ticket'...</p>
<p>Good Luck Alumother!</p>
<p>
[quote]
OMG. An email? Now I wonder if S is even registered....</p>
<p>I asked him about a ticket. He had no idea.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>They'll send an email with a copy a few days before, but he can also go to The CB website, log into his account, and he should be able to print it from there.</p>