SAT

SAT Test Day Checklist: Everything You Need to Bring and Do for 2025

••8 min read

Test day can make or break your SAT experience. You’ve spent weeks preparing, reviewing formulas, practicing passages, and timing drills — but when the morning arrives, success depends on your readiness. The 2025 Digital SAT introduces new procedures, devices, and pacing, which means preparation now goes beyond studying content.

At RevisionDojo, we help students not just study smarter, but test smarter. This comprehensive SAT Test Day Checklist ensures you bring everything you need, follow the right habits, and stay composed from the first question to the last.

Quick Start Checklist

Here’s your essential pre-test guide:

  • Know your test location and time.
  • Charge your testing device fully.
  • Pack your ID, admission ticket, and approved items.
  • Bring water and snacks for breaks.
  • Sleep 7–8 hours the night before.
  • Use RevisionDojo’s SAT Cheatsheets for last-minute review and confidence.

When you walk into test day fully prepared, your only focus will be performance.

What’s New for the 2025 Digital SAT

The SAT is now fully digital, taken on either your own laptop/tablet or one provided by your test center. Here’s what’s changed:

  • All sections are adaptive.
    Each module adjusts in difficulty based on your performance in the first half.
  • Calculator allowed for all math questions.
  • Shorter overall test time: About 2 hours total.
  • Built-in timer and tools (calculator, highlighter, flag-for-review).
  • Internet connection required to start, but testing is secure offline.

These updates mean you’ll need to prepare both your device and your mindset.

The Day Before the SAT

1. Prepare Your Bag

  • Photo ID (driver’s license, passport, or school ID)
  • SAT Admission Ticket (digital or printed)
  • Fully charged testing device
  • Approved calculator (even though digital has one built-in)
  • Power cord or charger
  • Pencils and erasers for notes
  • Snacks (granola bar, fruit, or nuts)
  • Water bottle (clear, label removed)

2. Plan Your Route

Know exactly how long it takes to get to your test center. Add at least 30 minutes of extra travel time for unexpected delays.

3. Review Lightly

Use RevisionDojo’s SAT for a 15-minute formula and grammar refresh. Avoid new material.

4. Sleep and Nutrition

Eat a balanced dinner — something light with protein (chicken, eggs, or tofu) and complex carbs (rice, oats). Then sleep for 7–8 hours. No late-night cramming.

Test Morning Routine

  1. Wake up early. Give yourself at least 2 hours before check-in time.
  2. Eat breakfast. Stick to foods you know won’t upset your stomach.
  3. Double-check your items. ID, device, ticket, and charger — all ready.
  4. Dress comfortably. Rooms can be cold; layer up.
  5. Avoid screens or stressful news. Keep your focus calm and centered.

Your energy and mindset matter as much as your preparation.

What to Bring (2025 Approved List)

Item Required/Optional Notes Photo ID Required Must match your admission ticket name Admission Ticket Required Printed or digital Laptop/Tablet Required Must have Bluebook app installed Power Cord Required Keep charger handy in case battery drains Calculator Optional The Bluebook app includes one Snacks & Water Optional For break time only Pencil/Eraser Optional For note-taking on scratch paper

What Not to Bring

  • Phones (must be turned off and stored away)
  • Smartwatches or fitness bands
  • Textbooks, notes, or paper
  • Headphones or earbuds
  • Cameras or recording devices
  • Food during active testing

Any prohibited item can result in dismissal from the testing room.

Before the Test Starts

1. Log in and Verify Details

Open the Bluebook testing app and confirm:

  • Name, test date, and center are correct.
  • Your device is fully charged (≥80%).
  • Calculator tool and scratch paper are ready.

2. Manage Your Focus

Take 3 slow breaths, visualize success, and remind yourself — you’ve practiced this. You’re not guessing; you’re performing what you’ve trained for.

During the Test

  • Flag questions you’re unsure about — come back later.
  • Check the timer occasionally, but don’t obsess.
  • Move on from stuck problems. Guess intelligently if time runs low.
  • Read instructions carefully — new SAT question styles may look familiar but differ subtly.
  • Stay calm if tech issues occur. Raise your hand; the proctor will assist.

Remember: one question doesn’t define your score. Focus on the next one.

During Breaks

  • Eat a small snack and drink water — avoid heavy foods.
  • Stretch your hands, shoulders, and neck.
  • Don’t discuss test questions with others.
  • Recenter mentally. Think ahead to the next section, not the last one.

Breaks are strategic pauses — use them to reset your focus, not relive mistakes.

After the Test

1. Don’t Overanalyze

You’ll have time later to reflect. For now, relax and appreciate that you finished strong.

2. Save Your Notes

If you used RevisionDojo’s SAT Cheatsheets or a notebook, mark topics that felt tricky for future review — this helps if you plan to retake the test.

3. Celebrate Small Wins

Finishing the SAT is an achievement. Take the rest of the day off.

Common Test Day Mistakes

  • Forgetting ID or admission ticket.
  • Arriving late.
  • Letting anxiety spike early.
  • Not charging devices fully.
  • Skipping breakfast or hydration.

A smooth start sets the tone for the whole test. Preparation beats panic every time.

RevisionDojo’s “Pre-Test Power-Up” Routine

A proven 5-minute warm-up before logging in:

  1. Deep breath in (4 sec), hold (4 sec), exhale (4 sec).
  2. Visualize one perfect section performance.
  3. Review one favorite formula or grammar rule.
  4. Tell yourself: “I’ve practiced this. I’m ready.”
  5. Smile. Confidence is your best tool.

This mental reset lowers test anxiety and boosts clarity.

Pro Tips from RevisionDojo SAT Coaches

  • Arrive early and stay relaxed.
  • Bring backup supplies — chargers fail.
  • Avoid caffeine overload. It can increase jitters.
  • Trust your prep. Every question format is one you’ve practiced before.
  • Use your full time — review if you finish early.

The SAT rewards focus and calm thinking — not perfectionism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What time should I arrive for the SAT?
At least 30 minutes before check-in time. Late arrivals may not be admitted.

2. Can I use my own calculator or just the one in Bluebook?
Yes, you can bring your own approved calculator, but the built-in one works perfectly fine for most students.

3. What if my device dies mid-test?
Plug it in immediately and notify your proctor. SAT test centers always have outlets available.

4. How can I calm nerves before testing?
Use breathing exercises, positive self-talk, and visualize success. RevisionDojo’s SAT prep routines include mindset coaching for exactly this reason.

5. How can RevisionDojo help me prepare for test day?
RevisionDojo’s SAT Cheatsheets include not only academic guides but also test-day planning checklists, pacing strategies, and focus tools to help you perform at your best.

Final Thoughts

Test day isn’t about luck — it’s about execution. When you’re organized, rested, and mentally sharp, you can focus entirely on showing what you know.

Use RevisionDojo for last-minute reviews, timing strategies, and calming techniques that make you test-ready from start to finish.

Walk into your SAT with confidence. You’ve prepared for this — now it’s time to perform.

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