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Are you preparing for the Medical College Admissions Test? Then, you must know what to bring to the MCAT test day. Part of preparing for the exam is to know about the things you need to carry with you, and the things you shouldn’t. You must know the test day rules really well so that you do not unintentionally make a mistake or become disqualified from sitting for the exam. This will also prevent you from any last-minute hassle. In this blog, we have provided the list of things you can bring to the exam centre, and things you cannot, and the test day rules that you must know about.
This Blog Includes:
Things You Can Bring to the MCAT
The following things are allowed within the exam centre. In fact, certain things like identification documents are mandatory. Keep this checklist handy to ensure that you have carried everything necessary.
Identification Card
You cannot enter the premises without bringing a valid ID. Moreover, the name on your ID must exactly match the registration name. Besides this, it must be issued by government authorities, must not have expired, and its expiry date must be clearly mentioned. The document you carry must not be damaged, must have your photo, and the details in it must be written in English.
Acceptable& Non-Acceptable Identification Proof
The table below explains what to bring to the MCAT and what ID is not acceptable. Go through this list carefully and decide what document you must carry.
| S.No. | Accepted ID | Not Accepted ID |
| 1 | State driver’s license (with all requirements) | Paper ID or ID application receipt of any kind |
| 2 | Passport (with all requirements) | Credit card |
| 3 | Passport card | Veterans ID (VIC) |
| 4 | Permanent resident card (green card) | Birth certificate |
| 5 | Employment Authorisation Document | Social Security card |
| 6 | Canada health card (Ontario & British Columbia ONLY) | Virtual or digital ID |
| 7 | Consular ID card | School ID |
| 8 | Canadian aviation card | IDs with extension stickers or renewal paperwork (Exception: Military personnel may use state license + Uniformed Services ID card) |
| 9 | — | Employee ID |
| 10 | — | Library card (including those issued by government agencies) |
Centre-Provided Storage Key
Since you are not allowed to bring unnecessary items to the exam hall, such as phones and bags, you are given a storage compartment or a small locker where you can keep your belongings. The storage key can either be a physical key or even a code that will allow you to access your assigned storage space. You can keep this with you during the exam.
Things You Can Bring to Keep Inside the Locker
What to bring to the MCAT? The following are the things you can bring with you to keep inside the locker. You cannot bring these items inside the exam room.
| S.No. | Item | Recommendations |
| 1 | Snacks (for 10-minute breaks) | Two small snacks. This can be energy or granola bars. Avoid sugary foods to prevent a crash. |
| 2 | Lunch (for 30-minute break) | Pack a sandwich or similar. Choose food you enjoy, that is safe, and won’t upset your stomach. |
| 3 | Water bottle | Stay hydrated, but manage intake to avoid restroom breaks during sections. |
| 4 | Personal hygiene items | Bring it if needed. |
| 5 | Medications (non-accommodation) | EpiPens, inhalers, insulin pump, and over-the-counter meds allowed. |
Eye Glasses
You can bring eyeglasses to the examination hall. However, eyeglasses are only permitted for students with visual impairment. Only after visual and physical inspection by the test administrators will you be permitted to bring the same. This is to ensure that you are actually a problem and that you are not using the eyeglasses for cheating purposes.
Notebook Booklet
All candidates will be given a notebook booklet before the exam. This white laminated notebook consists of a 9 total graph-lined pages. It also comes with a fine-point marker. The booklet is wet-erase. This means you will not be able to erase whatever you have written in the booklet. You can keep this with you during the exam. If you need more, you can raise your hand and the Test Administrator will exchange your noteboard booklet with a clean one.
Centre-Provided Foam or Wireless Earplugs
The exam centre rooms are shared testing rooms. This means that you might be taking an exam with other candidates from a different exam. Although the exam halls are usually quiet, it is possible that you can encounter background noise such as people coughing, keyboard, people moving, etc. To prevent any such distraction, some centres can give you noise-cancelling headphones (wireless or over-ear type). You do not necessarily have to use them, but bring them to the exam hall.
Also Read: UCAT Exam Fees 2025: Fee Structure, Bursary Details, Rescheduling & Cancellation Charges
Items Allowed During MCAT Lunch Break
Now you know what you can bring to the MCAT. So, it’s time to learn what you are allowed to do during your lunch break. The MCAT exam is long. Hence, a 30-minute lunch break is provided in between. During the break, you are allowed to do only the following:
- Access food and water
- Access your prescribed medications
What You Cannot Do During the MCAT Lunch Break?
It is important to note that the lunch break is not the time for cheating in the examination. The following are the things that you cannot do during your lunch break:
- You cannot use your mobile phone
- You cannot open your purse or backpack
- You cannot use earphones or headphones to listen to music
- Use your laptops or tablets
- You cannot access notes or other study materials.
- Moreover, you cannot leave the exam centre
What Not to Bring to MCAT?
Aside from the things that you can bring, you must know about the things you cannot bring to the exam hall. Bringing these items means violating the AAMC guidelines. Hence, ensure you keep them in mind. Note: Certain items, such as mobile phones and backpacks, can be kept in the locker, but you cannot use them during your lunch break.
| S.No. | Items Not Allowed in Testing Room | Can Keep in Locker (Yes/No) |
| 1 | Notes, test prep pages, review books | No |
| 2 | Tablets, laptops | No |
| 3 | Cell phone (must be sealed in the bag provided) | Yes |
| 4 | Earbuds, headphones | No |
| 5 | Backpack or purse | Yes |
| 6 | Visitors | No |
| 7 | Any vehicle | No |
| 8 | Any electronic devices (tablet, laptop, watch) | No |
| 9 | Chewing gums | No |
Also Read: What is GAMSAT? Exam Format, Scoring, Registration, and Top Universities Explained
Important Test Day Rules to Remember
These are some of the guidelines set by AAMC. Reading these important testing rules will only benefit you in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
- You know now what to bring to the MCAT. Aside from the allowed items, it is best not to bring anything else, as it can be considered a violation of the rules.
- If you are caught cheating during the exam or violating the examination rules, the AAMC will conduct a proper investigation. The eventual result can be termination of your exam, issuance of a warning letter to the university, or cancellation of your existing MCAT score.. Your results can be kept on hold, or in some cases, a civil lawsuit can be filed against you for material breaches.
- You can also choose to report an examination rule violation. For this, you can ask the test administrator to file a case report or report the incident within 5 days.
- If AAMC plans to cancel your exam on or before the testing day, it will be notified by email, and your examination fees will be refunded.
- After the examination is complete, you will be given the option to either record your scores or to void them. This decision will be final.
- Lastly, if the AAMC decides that your scores are invalid for any reason, they can at their own discretion, cancel your scores. In such cases, your raw or scaled scores will not be disclosed to you.
What to bring to the MCAT? Your ID! Other than that, everything else is optional. A notebook, a marker, and an earplug will be given to you. You are allowed to carry your bag or phone, but you can only keep them in your locker. You cannot carry them with you inside the examination room. Laptops, tablets, notes, etc, are not allowed. Should you be found to violate any rules, such as cheating, AAMC will conduct a strict investigation against you.
FAQs
You must bring your valid government ID. This can be your drivers license, passport, etc. Other than this, no other document is essential.
No. You cannot bring a water bottle to the examination hall. However, you can keep it with you in your locker, and drink water during your breaks.
No. You cannot chew gum during the examination. Although you are allowed to have food during your lunch break. It is not recommended that you bring chewing gum, even to keep it in your locker, as it is unnecessary. You can, however, keep small snacks with you.
No. There is no dress code that you need to follow for the MCAT. However, it is always recommended that you wear comfortable clothing. Also, if you wear, ensure that you do not wear hats, hoods, scarves, or bulky clothing, as they can be inspected by the staff.
No. There is no need for you to bring pencils or pens for the examination. You will be provided with a notebook and a marker for the same. You will have to return these items once the exam is over.
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