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Test day is almost here! Hopefully, you’re excited to put all of the knowledge and skills you’ve gained during your GMAT preparation to the test. Of course, you have been focused on learning GMAT content and techniques. So, perhaps you haven’t thought about what to bring on GMAT test day to ensure that your exam goes smoothly. Not to worry! We’ve got a GMAT exam day checklist of the items you need to bring to your GMAT appointment and the items you’ll want to bring to have your best test experience possible.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- A Note About Your Locker
- GMAT Test Day: What Not to Bring
- GMAT Test Day: What to Bring
- Key Takeaways
- What’s Next?
Let’s begin with a quick note about your test-day locker.
A Note About Your Locker
You won’t be able to bring personal items such as a cell phone, purse, or wallet, into the GMAT exam room. However, you have the option of storing them in a locker that you can access during your breaks. Keep in mind, though, that locker space at test centers is limited. In addition, there are many items, such as a cell phone or GMAT test materials, that you cannot access, even during your break. So, don’t go crazy packing everything under the sun into the bag you take into the test center. Test day is definitely a time to “travel light”!
TTP PRO TIP:
“Travel light” on GMAT test day. Locker space is limited at test centers, so bring only those items you really need.
Before we answer the question, What should I bring to the GMAT test center?, we need to answer the even-more-important question, What can I bring to the GMAT test center?
GMAT Test Day: What Not to Bring
First off, let’s reiterate the value of bringing only those items you really need on test day. As you’ll see, there are very few items you’re allowed to bring into the actual exam room with you. So, anything else you carry into the test center will have to be stored in your locker. Cellphones, watches, sunglasses, hats, lip balm, tissues, water bottles — the list goes on — are not permitted in the exam room.
Furthermore, as we already mentioned, many items that you technically can store in your locker at the test center, such as pens and pencils, calculators, and books, cannot be accessed during your breaks. So, bring only what you absolutely need. If you’re driving to the test center, leave as many items as possible in your car.
Importantly, there are some items that are completely prohibited — not just in the exam room, but anywhere on the premises. Those items include weapons such as firearms (regardless of permit) and knives (including Swiss army knives) and anything that could be used as a weapon. So, some items in the category of “school supplies,” such as scissors and box cutters, should be left at home.
So, make sure to empty your pockets and clean out any backpack or purse you’ll bring into the test center. That way, you don’t inadvertently bring in a prohibited item and get denied entry to your GMAT. Also, you should review GMAC’s test center rules and the rules for your specific test center before your exam.
TTP PRO TIP:
Review GMAC’s test center rules and the rules for your specific test center, so you don’t inadvertently bring prohibited items.
Now that we know what not to bring, let’s examine the items you’ll need and want to have with you.
GMAT Test Day: What to Bring
Let’s start our discussion of what to bring to the GMAT with the item that test center requirements dictate you must have: photo identification.
A Valid Form of ID
Consider your photo identification to be your ticket for entry into the GMAT test center. For obvious reasons, GMAT test centers take security very seriously. So, at the start of the GMAT check-in process, you’ll need to present valid and acceptable photo identification. Your ID is the single most important item for GMAT test day. If you don’t have it, you won’t be taking the GMAT.
So, exactly what identification is needed for the GMAT? Valid forms of ID include:
- an international travel passport
- a government-issued driver’s license
- a government-issued identity card (national/state/province or European ID card)
- a military ID card
Additionally, your ID must meet the following requirements:
- The name, date of birth, and country of origin (if applicable) on your identification must exactly match the information you provided to register for the GMAT.
- Your name must appear on your ID using the Roman alphabet.
- Your ID must contain your signature and a photograph that is recognizably a photo of you.
If you don’t have one form of photo identification that covers every base, bring a second ID to fill any gaps.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you don’t have one ID that meets all of the test center requirements, bring a second ID to fill any gaps.
Now, as far as your GMAT test-day checklist is concerned, photo identification is really the only must-have on the list. That said, there are several smart-to-haves that you should consider bringing to your GMAT. Let’s discuss those next.
Your GMAT Appointment Confirmation
This is not among the test-day requirements, but you may want to print your GMAT appointment confirmation email or confirmation letter from Pearson VUE and bring it with you to the test center. Then, if there is some confusion about your test date or time, you can show the confirmation to the test administrator. When you’re headed to the airport, it’s good to have your flight information on hand, even though you don’t need it to board the plane, right?
Also, remember to arrive at the test center about 30 minutes before the start of your exam. Doing so ensures that you have plenty of time to check in and handle any last-minute issues.
TTP PRO TIP:
Bring your GMAT appointment confirmation email or letter in case there is confusion about your test date or time.
Directions to the Test Center
This may seem obvious, but you don’t want to have to do any guesswork about your destination on test day. If you’re relying on GPS, you may also want to have a printout of directions, just in case.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to do a dry run of the trip to the test center before exam day, if possible. There really is something to be said for having familiarity with your surroundings during your commute, rather than seeing everything for the first time on test day. You may be surprised at how much calmer your nerves are when making the trip the second time around.
Ideally, you’ll take this trip at the same time of day and on the same day of the week you’ll be traveling to your test. Doing so helps you get an accurate sense of how traffic might affect your travel time. If a dry run isn’t feasible, just be sure to review a map of your route before you get on the road.
TTP PRO TIP:
Print out directions to the test center just in case GPS fails you, and do a dry run of your commute before test day if possible.
An Energizing Playlist
You won’t be able to listen to music during your exam, and you probably wouldn’t want to. However, one of the simplest test-day tips we give students is to make a playlist of songs for the commute to the test center. Why? Because listening to some of your favorite songs is a great way to get pumped for your GMAT. Even if you’re walking to your local test center, grab some headphones and get yourself energized and feeling positive.
You’ve worked hard to prepare for this day — get ready to crush it!
TTP PRO TIP:
Listening to some energizing, motivating songs you love on your commute to the test center is a great way to get pumped for your GMAT.
A Snack and Drink
Hopefully, you’ll start test day with a healthy, energizing breakfast to fuel your brain and body. Still, you may want to bring a snack with you to the test center. The last thing you need is a growling stomach during your exam. Of course, any snack you bring will have to be left in your locker and eaten during your 10-minute break. A protein bar, banana, or handful of trail mix is a quick and filling option.
You also may be wondering, “Can I bring water to GMAT test centers?” You can store drinks in your locker, so bringing a bottle of water (and a coffee or energy drink if needed) is a good idea. Just remember that your 10-minute break is also your only bathroom break. So, don’t overdo it on the liquids!
TTP PRO TIP:
Store a snack such as a protein bar or banana and a bottle of water or other drink in your GMAT locker to access during your break.
An Extra Layer
Don’t expect the “weather” inside the exam room to be the same as the weather outside. Ice-cold air conditioning, stifling heat, mysterious drafts — hopefully you won’t experience any of these, but why not be prepared? You can bring a sweater or non-outerwear jacket into the exam room, and having another layer available can’t hurt. If it’s summertime and the air-conditioning is freezing, you may be grateful to have the option of long sleeves.
Likewise, if it’s wintertime, you may want to wear a T-shirt under your sweater in case the heat in the test center is turned up high. Everyone has their own “ideal temperature,” and you have no way of controlling the temperature at the test center. So, do yourself a favor and dress for a couple of different climates.
Keep in mind also that your photo will be taken during the check-in process, and schools can request that photo. Schools may make that request to confirm that you were in fact the person who sat for your exam. So, while you want to dress for test-day comfort, you may not want to look like you just woke up.
TTP PRO TIP:
Since you can’t control the temperature at the test center, bringing an extra layer of clothing is a smart strategy.
Prescription Eyeglasses
You may be surprised by the things people can forget when they’re anxious or in a rush. Or, say, when their minds are preoccupied with a major exam they’re about to take. Although we mentioned that test-center rules prohibit personal items in the exam room, prescription eyeglasses are an exception. Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to bring an eyeglass case, cleaning cloth, or any other related accessories into the exam room along with your glasses. So, store any accessories you may need in your locker.
Also, if there are medically necessary items you’ll need during your GMAT, such as a hearing aid or an asthma inhaler, contact GMAC customer service to find out the protocol for bringing them. We recommend reaching out to GMAC well in advance of your projected or scheduled exam date. Depending on your test-day requirements, you may need to register as a test-taker with disabilities.
TTP PRO TIP:
Contact GMAC customer service if there are medically necessary items other than prescription eyeglasses that you’ll need during your GMAT.
A Few Practice Questions
We certainly do not recommend cramming on the day of your test (or during the week leading up to it). However, doing a handful of practice questions right before you walk into the test center is a smart test-day strategy.
Answering a few questions provides a good mental “warm-up,” helps reduce test anxiety, and gets you into the zone for your GMAT.
The keyword here is a few. You don’t want to go overboard with a 20-question set of GMAT problems and burn yourself out before the test. But if you feel nervous about seeing that first question on the computer screen, or you just need to wake up your brain a little, doing a few Quant, Verbal, and DI questions can really help. That way, you don’t start your GMAT completely cold.
Just remember, you cannot bring any GMAT test materials into the test center with you, even to store in your locker!
TTP PRO TIP:
Doing a few Quant, Verbal, and DI questions right before you enter the test center can provide a good mental “warm-up” and help calm your nerves.
Your Preferred Section Order
You won’t be able to bring written notes of any kind into the exam room with you, but you should have a “mental note” of your preferred GMAT section order. Hopefully, you’ll have taken all 6 official GMAT practice exams before your actual GMAT, and you’ll have decided which order you prefer.
As you may already know, the final introductory screen you’ll see before your exam begins is the section order screen. You’ll have 6 section order options for your test:
- Quant, Verbal, Data Insights
- Quant, Data Insights, Verbal
- Verbal, Quant, Data Insights
- Verbal, Data Insights, Quant
- Data Insights, Quant, Verbal
- Data Insights, Verbal, Quant
If you don’t select a section order within the allotted 2 minutes, the computer will randomly select one for you. So, you definitely want to know your preferred section order before you walk into the test center. You don’t want to scramble to make a potentially score-altering decision as your exam is about to begin.
TTP PRO TIP:
Figure out your preferred GMAT section order before test day.
Your A-Game!
You want to step into the test center with your best foot forward and a top competitor’s mindset. If you’ve put in the time and effort to properly prepare for your GMAT and learned and practiced with the kind of study materials that result in GMAT mastery, you have absolutely no reason not to feel confident that you will hit your score goal on test day.
So, get a good night’s sleep before your GMAT, eat a good breakfast, and bring your A-game on test day!
You want to step into the test center with your best foot forward and a top competitor’s mindset.
Key Takeaways
Remember these GMAT exam day tips when preparing for your trip to the test center:
- Locker space is limited, so bring only what you truly need.
- Do not bring prohibited items or items you cannot access during your exam.
- Make sure to bring a valid photo ID. If you don’t have one ID that meets all criteria, bring a second ID to cover your bases.
- Bring your GMAT appointment confirmation just in case there is any confusion about your test appointment.
- Print out directions to your test center, and if possible, do a dry run of your commute before test day.
- Bring a playlist of songs that will get you pumped up to crush your GMAT.
- Bring a quick, filling snack and a bottle of water to store in your locker for your break.
- You can’t control the test-center temperature, so bring a sweater or jacket.
- If you wear prescription eyeglasses, make sure to bring them. Contact GMAC if there are any other medically necessary items you’ll need.
- Bring a few Quant, Verbal, and DI practice questions to warm up with before you enter the test center.
- Make sure you know your preferred GMAT section order.
- Enter the test center with your best foot forward and a top competitor’s mindset!
What’s Next?
Now that you know which items to bring to the test center on test day, check out these GMAT test-day tips, which will provide you with test-day tips for taking the exam.
Think you’ll need test-day accommodations for your GMAT? Learn more about what accommodations GMAC offers and how to request them.
Let’s do this!!
