Discrepancy regarding prohibited items

[samurai361]

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On the informational video (http://www.youtube.com/PearsonFieldResearch#p/u/5/F0zRqUVQJrI), it says I cannot have mechanical pencils or an electronic device, so I'm guessing that includes a digital watch. However, it also says to refer to the candidate information booklet for the full list, and in that booklet (http://www.pearsonassessments.com/hai/Images/dotCom/pcatweb.info/PCAT_CIB.pdf), page 17, it does not mention mechanical pencils or watches, only watch calculators.

So which is right? I would like to use my mechanical pencil which is #2 and approved for standardized tests and the same pencil I used in all of my SAT and AP tests, and I would like to use preferably a digital watch. But now I'm afraid I'll get kicked out so can anyone clarify?

 

[Twiggy1]

I think it depends on your proctor(s) the day of the test. An e-mail sent to me before the June test specifically said not to bring mechanical pencils. However, the proctors at my location allowed them (as well as big rubber erasers...wish I had brought one!). If you want to bring one in case your location will allow it, go for it. Just be prepared in case they tell you to leave it in the "personal belongings area". Regarding the watches, I wouldn't chance the digital as they are simply trying to prevent having anything that makes a beeping noise. If you take your watch in and it beeps during the test, you may very well get kicked out. At my location, they examined all of our watches on the way in the door - not so much for digital watches, but to make sure none of them had cameras!

Again, if you want to try and take a mechanical pencil and digital watch in, feel free. Just be ready in case they tell you no.

 

[samurai361]

Alright thank you Twiggy. I really appreciate the advice. I think it's too much of a risk if it beeps accidentally so I may just take a regular watch and I'll take both pencils with me and hope for the best. I seriously asked my mom where I could find wooden pencils, because the last time I saw one of those was in elementary school! lol.

 

[diastole]

I brought mechanical pencils to my test and they didn't allow us to use them but they did have a big box of pencils to hand out as a replacement.

 

[Twiggy1]

Alright thank you Twiggy. I really appreciate the advice. I think it's too much of a risk if it beeps accidentally so I may just take a regular watch and I'll take both pencils with me and hope for the best. I seriously asked my mom where I could find wooden pencils, because the last time I saw one of those was in elementary school! lol.

I was in the same boat...been using mechanical pencils for a loooong time. I ended up picking up a pack of 10-#2 pencils for 50 cents at Wal-Mart. I also followed someone elses earlier advice and picked up a cheap analog watch that I set to the 30 minute mark before each section. Just pushed in the knob when they told us to start so I could have an easy reference for the time remaining.

 

[samurai361]

I brought mechanical pencils to my test and they didn't allow us to use them but they did have a big box of pencils to hand out as a replacement.

That was really nice of them! Although I don't think anyone will do that here, it's usually bring your own or go home, dang penny pinchers 😛

I was in the same boat...been using mechanical pencils for a loooong time. I ended up picking up a pack of 10-#2 pencils for 50 cents at Wal-Mart. I also followed someone elses earlier advice and picked up a cheap analog watch that I set to the 30 minute mark before each section. Just pushed in the knob when they told us to start so I could have an easy reference for the time remaining.

Exactly, that's what I plan to do now. My mom mentioned Office Depot but I bet Wal-Mart is probably cheaper! Great advice guys, thanks again!

 

[deleted329060]

I used mechanical pencils (that said #2 which was good enough for me) and carried a digital watch. o_o"

I guess it really depends on the proctor

 

[samurai361]

I used mechanical pencils (that said #2 which was good enough for me) and carried a digital watch. o_o"

I guess it really depends on the proctor

it does yeah. lucky, I hope I have a proctor like yours!

 

[philapharm7]

I brought a clear ziploc bag of mechanical and regular pencils. I'm pretty sure they let us use the mechanical pencils, but it's good to have regular ones as back up just in case. And if you're like me and hate regular pencils, it's good to bring mechanical pencils in the off chance you are allowed to use them, because I would have been PISSED if I hadn't brought any and everyone else was able to use mechanical pencils except me haha.