You can bring an electronic device, but you will have to put it under your desk and you will not be allowed to use it during the break so you might as well just keep it in your car. Usually you just put your jack underneath or beside your desk along with water and any food that you may have brought. You can just carry this stuff in. Also, make sure the watch won’t go off during the test or you will be dismissed.
Note: This is what it has been like at the 3 high schools that I have taken it at. That is not to say that there isn’t a school out there with harsher rules or a harsh proctor.
One time, I remember, a [mildly paranoid] proctor made everybody leave their bags and coats (it was a cold winter day] on the floor in front of the room. Cell phones (completely turned off), snacks and water bottles had to be kept in bags.
Even water drinking was allowed only outside of the room. At no time anybody could use their phones until the end of the test (that’s always the case).
At my son’s school, jackets, snacks (pretty much everything) are stored on the floor in the front of the gym. Nothing on the desk except pencils and calculator.
When I took the ACT last year I was allowed to keep my purse under my desk. All the proctor does is ask you to turn off your cell phone and keep it in your bag under your chair. Keep in mind that you can’t use your cell phone during the test OR the break.
You are allowed to bring water and a snack, but you can only eat and drink during the break.
You can keep everything you bring in a backpack, pencil case, or pretty much any kind of bag.
Thank you all so much! For some reason I imagined the students having to leave backpacks and jackets outside the room. Sounds like that is not the case. I appreciate you sharing your experiences and information with me. Thanks for the help!