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If you’ve just started your MCAT preparation or are getting close to your testing date, you might be wondering what to bring to the MCAT.

What to Bring to the MCAT

In the testing room, the only items permitted are:

• your valid photo ID
• the storage key for your locker (which will be provided for you),
• a noteboard booklet (which will be provided for you)
• a fine point, wet-erase marker to use on the noteboard (which will be provided for you),
• foam earplugs (which will be provided for you).

The only item you may bring to the exam room is a valid ID. After studying and practicing diligently for months for the MCAT, the last thing you want to happen is to arrive at the testing center only to be turned away because your ID was not accepted. So, make sure your ID meets the requirements listed!

A valid ID must:

• have your first and last name match the spelling and order of your name on your MCAT registration exactly
• be government-issued
• contain a photo of you
• be in English
• be a physical object (not a digital ID)
• have an expiration date printed on it (rather than a sticker)
• NOT be expired (make sure to check this!)

Examples of valid IDs include:

• a passport book
• a passport card
• a state-issued driver’s license
• permanent resident card (green card)

Examples of documents that are NOT accepted:

• credit cards
• veterans ID
• birth certificate
• social security card
• school ID
• employee ID
• library card

Items For Your Locker

After you check in, you are assigned a locker where you can leave your wallet and keys, as well as items you may want to access during the breaks.

Make sure to remove these items from your backpack or purse and place them separately in your locker.

We recommend that you bring these items with you to store in your locker:

• two small snacks for the short 10-minute breaks (after the first and third sections)
  
  • an energy bar or granola bar works well
  • avoid sugary foods so as not to have a sugar-crash during the test
• lunch for the longer 30-minute break (after the second section)
  
  • a sandwich will be easy to pack and leave in the locker
  • bring food that you know that you will enjoy eating, is safe for you to eat, and that you know won’t cause you an upset stomach
• water to stay hydrated
  
  • manage your intake so you don’t have to take a restroom break during one of the sections since that would cause you to lose testing time
• personal hygiene items, if needed
• any medications that don’t require an accommodation
  
  • EpiPens, inhalers, and over-the-counter medications; check the AAMC website for specific details

What About Medical Supplies?

If you need to bring medical supplies (such as crutches) with you or if you must take medication at scheduled times or have it readily accessible (such as an insulin pump), you will need to submit a request for accommodations.

Items That Are Not Allowed

During the break, you are only allowed to access food, water, and your medications. Be mindful of the time during your breaks: you have to check-in and return to your seat in the allotted time, or the test will resume without you.

You cannot:

• access or touch your cell phone
• open your backpack or purse
• bring earphones or headphones to listen to music
• bring tablets or laptops
• bring study materials, books, or notes
• leave the testing center

You are allowed to bring a cell phone, but if you do, it must be placed in a sealed bag (that will be provided for you) that only the testing administrator can open and unseal at the end of your exam.

Overall, it may be better to leave your phone at home if possible since even holding or moving the phone during your breaks can be seen as a violation of AAMC’s policies.

If you need to contact someone to pick you up after the test, consider arranging a time for them to come in advance.

Get Organized

It’s a good idea to be organized ahead of time and put the items you are bringing to the test in your bag or backpack the night before or even a few days before your test. You don’t want to leave your ID at home because you were rushing out of the door the morning of the test.

Wrap-Up

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID that meets the criteria set out by AAMC. In addition, bring a snack, lunch, and water to maintain your energy and hydrate during your breaks, along with any medication you may need.

Be aware of prohibited items and leave them at home, such as textbooks, study notes, and electronic devices. While you may bring a cell phone, you are not permitted to access it, and it must remain in a sealed bag provided by the testing center.

Success on test day is achieved by the hard work, practice, and preparation that you do in the weeks and months ahead of your exam, but knowing what to bring to the MCAT will ensure a more comfortable testing experience.