The night before the SSAT, families should not be searching for a missing admission ticket or wondering whether a calculator is allowed. Those details should already be settled.
What students need depends on how they are taking the exam. A paper SSAT, a computer-based test at a Prometric center, and the SSAT at Home have different check-in and materials rules. A single packing list does not cover all three.
Use the checklist below to prepare for the correct format, then follow the instructions attached to the student's actual registration.
What Should You Bring to a Paper SSAT?
For a standard paper-based SSAT, prepare the following before test day:
Admission ticket: Print it or save it on a parent's phone so it is available at check-in. The ticket also contains any special directions from the test center.
Pencils: Bring sharpened pencils appropriate for the paper answer sheet, with an extra or two. Students use pencils during the test.
Snacks and a drink: Pack them together in a clear bag. These stay in a designated area and may be accessed during scheduled breaks, not while answering questions.
Identification, if required: Some international test locations require student ID. The admission ticket specifies whether it is necessary.
Accommodations documentation, if applicable: Families with approved accommodations should have the accommodations approval page of the admission ticket available.
There is no need to pack a calculator. Students also should not plan to use a personal watch, phone, notes, or reference material during testing.
Arrival time: The SSAT recommends arriving 30 to 45 minutes before the test begins. Check the start time and any parking directions on the admission ticket rather than assuming every location begins at the same hour.
What Should You Bring to an SSAT at a Prometric Test Center?
The Prometric SSAT is taken on a computer at a supervised testing location. Students should have:
Prometric confirmation details: Save the confirmation email with the test center address and appointment information.
Identification when required: A government-issued photo ID is required for students testing at Prometric centers outside the United States and Canada. Review the appointment instructions for any additional site-specific rules.
A clear bag with snacks and a drink: Food and beverages stay with the parent or in a locker and are used during breaks.
Approved accommodations information: Confirm arrangements before the appointment, rather than trying to resolve them at check-in.
Paper test materials are not needed at the computer station. The testing center provides the equipment and permitted writing surface used during the exam.
Prometric also has a parental release form: a parent or guardian must remain on site unless the required release form has been completed and submitted at check-in.
Plan to arrive 30 to 45 minutes early. The appointment may not be guaranteed if the student arrives more than 15 minutes after the scheduled start time.
What About the SSAT at Home?
The at-home SSAT is a different kind of preparation task. Instead of packing a bag, families need to confirm that the testing equipment, room, and check-in process meet the current official requirements.
For the 2026–27 testing season, families should use the current SSAT at Home instructions, not a checklist saved from a previous year. The testing platform and technical requirements have changed, and older instructions may no longer apply.
For the SSAT at Home, students need a primary testing device and a separate second camera device. The second camera can be a compatible phone or tablet, positioned so the proctor can see the student's workspace, hands, keyboard, monitor, and face.
Both devices must meet the current technical requirements and remain connected to power. Families should download the required testing applications and complete the full practice check-in before test day.
At-home testing is available for the Middle and Upper Level SSAT to eligible students physically located in the United States, U.S. territories, or Canada. The Elementary Level SSAT is not offered at home.
Do not assume that paper-test rules about snacks, scratch paper, or phones also apply to an at-home setup. Follow the specific instructions displayed for the student's booked administration.
What Items Are Not Allowed During the SSAT?
Across testing formats, families should expect restrictions on items that could compromise test security. Keep the following out of the test workspace unless they are specifically authorized as an approved accommodation:
Personal electronic devices that are not specifically authorized for the testing format. For the SSAT at Home, the required second camera device is permitted.
Smartwatches, fitness trackers, and personal watches
Calculators
Notes, books, and study guides
Headphones or other accessories not specifically permitted for the booked format
At an in-person test center, students may be directed to turn off phones and store belongings in a designated area. A parent should handle those belongings whenever possible. Students should not expect access to them during breaks.
How Early Should Families Prepare?
One week before: Confirm the test mode, location or online setup, reporting time, ID requirements, and approved accommodations. For at-home testing, complete the official equipment check early enough to fix any problems.
The day before: Set out the admission ticket or confirmation, permitted supplies, and snacks. Confirm transportation and check for test-center alerts. Keep studying light. A late-night practice test is rarely a good use of the final evening.
Test morning: Eat a familiar breakfast, allow extra travel or check-in time, and arrive ready to follow proctor instructions. Parents should avoid introducing new test-taking strategies that the student has not practiced.
Three Common SSAT Test-Day Mistakes
Assuming every location has identical ID rules. Requirements differ by format and location. Check the student's own ticket or appointment instructions.
Bringing useful but prohibited tools. A calculator or smartwatch may feel helpful, but it is not an appropriate addition to a standard SSAT workspace.
Using last year's at-home instructions. Testing technology changes. The current official instructions take priority over older help articles or saved checklists.
For families still working through registration, our step-by-step SSAT registration guide covers the earlier planning decisions. Once registration is complete, the best test-day plan is straightforward: confirm the format, follow its exact rules, and remove avoidable stress before the student walks into the room.