The materials allowed in the MYP Physics eAssessment are deliberately limited. Students normally use the approved examination computer, school-issued rough paper, and a pen or pencil. The calculator and response tools are built into the on-screen examination, so personal calculators, notes, formula sheets, and extra paper should not be taken to the workstation.
A paper translating dictionary may be permitted under specific language conditions. Devices, headphones, identification, water, and storage arrangements can vary by school, so the current instructions from your MYP coordinator always take priority.
Permitted and prohibited materials
This table summarizes the usual position for MYP Physics. It distinguishes examination equipment from items candidates may personally bring.
| Item | Usual position for MYP Physics |
|---|---|
| Examination computer | Required and arranged or approved by the school |
| Pen or pencil | Permitted for official rough work |
| Official rough paper | Supplied by the school and returned afterward |
| On-screen calculator | Included in the examination software |
| Personal calculator | Not normally permitted |
| Formula sheet, notes, or textbook | Not permitted unless officially supplied |
| Translating dictionary | Conditionally permitted; it must be paper-based and unannotated |
| Headphones | Required for multimedia; arrangements depend on the school |
| Phone, smartwatch, or connected device | Must not be accessible during the examination |
This is a planning summary, not permission to bring every listed item. Some schools provide all stationery and headphones, while others instruct candidates to bring particular approved equipment.
What the examination screen provides
MYP Physics is an on-screen sciences examination, not a conventional paper test. The IB overview of on-screen examinations describes tools including calculators, graph plotting, drawing functions, animations, simulations, and media controls.
Because the calculator is integrated into the examination environment, students should practise using digital tools rather than relying exclusively on a familiar handheld model. Any task-specific information needed for a question will be supplied through the approved interface or examination materials. Students should not bring a self-made formula sheet, printed data booklet, or periodic table unless their coordinator explicitly confirms an official provision.
What candidates may take to the workstation
The IB's public MYP eAssessment delivery guidance allows candidates to use a pen or pencil for rough notes. The school supplies authorized scratch paper, and every sheet must be returned to the invigilator after the examination.
A paper translating dictionary may be permitted in a non-language examination when the response language is not the candidate's best language. It must contain no annotations, and electronic dictionaries are not allowed. Approval should be obtained beforehand rather than assumed on exam day.
Computers, headphones, and local procedures
The school must conduct the examination securely. The IB's preparation guidance identifies equipment such as a compatible computer, keyboard, mouse with a scroll wheel, reliable power supply, and headphones. Schools complete compatibility checks and determine whether candidates use school devices or an approved bring-your-own-device arrangement.
Headphone procedures therefore differ. A school might provide tested headphones or request an approved wired pair, but Bluetooth accessories should never be assumed acceptable. Arrival time, identification, water, login details, and the storage of bags are also controlled locally.
What to leave outside
Unless your coordinator gives different authorized instructions, do not take these items to the workstation:
- Personal calculators or calculator cases
- Notes, flashcards, formula lists, and textbooks
- Personal notebooks or blank paper
- Phones, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and recording devices
- Electronic dictionaries, storage devices, or unapproved headphones
- Stationery not requested by the school
Do not keep prohibited material in a pocket or beneath the desk. Possessing unauthorized notes or an electronic device can create an academic integrity concern even when the student says it was not used.
MYP Physics exam-day checklist
At least one week before the examination, confirm:
- Which computer you will use
- Whether headphones and stationery are supplied
- Where bags and phones must be stored
- Whether water is allowed
- Whether a translating dictionary has been approved
- Which identification or candidate details are required
- When and where you must report
Coordinators should follow the current session's MYP eAssessment Procedures on the IB Programme Resource Centre. The IB's starting with eAssessment guidance directs schools to those procedures, which are more authoritative than an old checklist or another school's policy.
Preparing for the digital tools
Practise calculations, graphing, navigation, and extended responses on screen. Rough paper supports planning, but marks come from answers entered into the examination interface, so essential working must be transferred clearly.
The RevisionDojo MYP Physics resource hub provides topic support. Students can combine the MYP Physics Questionbank with MYP Physics Flashcards, then use the 30-day eAssessment study plan and MYP eAssessment success guidance for timed preparation.
Conclusion
For most students, the materials allowed in the MYP Physics eAssessment are a pen or pencil, official rough paper, and the approved computer. The platform supplies the calculator and relevant response tools, while personal calculators, notes, formula sheets, and unauthorized electronics remain outside. Confirm school-specific arrangements with your coordinator, then use RevisionDojo's Questionbank, Flashcards, and study plans to practise the digital format.
Sources and referenced URLs
- IB on-screen examinations overview
- IB MYP eAssessment Q&A: The How
- IB guidance on preparing for an on-screen examination
- IB guidance for schools starting with eAssessment
- RevisionDojo MYP Physics resources
- RevisionDojo MYP Physics Questionbank
- RevisionDojo MYP Physics Flashcards
- RevisionDojo 30-day MYP eAssessment study plan
- RevisionDojo tips for succeeding in MYP eAssessments




