No one wants to cheat. He just needs a way to call after the test.
April 13, 2019 2:43 AM Subscribe
My kid needs to be able to get in touch after the ACT and needs to have a phone with him in the testing center.
I know you cannot have any electronic devices out in the testing room. For Reasons (please believe) my kid needs to have a phone with him to use for after the test. Can they bring a turned-off phone inside a backpack if they don't take it out during the test or will the backpack be searched at the door as he believes? I am telling him he can have a phone in his bag if he leaves it untouched during the test, and he is saying they will search bags, kick him out of the testing center and not let him take the test.
TLDR Can you have a phone *with* you if it's never taken out at the ACT?
* Please assume there are contingencies here making this necessary for us, I don't want to go into the whole story.
I know you cannot have any electronic devices out in the testing room. For Reasons (please believe) my kid needs to have a phone with him to use for after the test. Can they bring a turned-off phone inside a backpack if they don't take it out during the test or will the backpack be searched at the door as he believes? I am telling him he can have a phone in his bag if he leaves it untouched during the test, and he is saying they will search bags, kick him out of the testing center and not let him take the test.
TLDR Can you have a phone *with* you if it's never taken out at the ACT?
* Please assume there are contingencies here making this necessary for us, I don't want to go into the whole story.
Best answer: Yeah, I think he's just having very understandable anxiety. The rules seem pretty clear that a phone in a bag is allowed.
I'm sure he'll do great! Tell him to do something nice for himself: he probably needs a break. :)
"The prohibited use of devices is in effect from the time you are admitted to your testing room until you are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times.
Specifically:
You may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight.
If you access your device or if your device activates while in the testing room or during break times, you will be dismissed, your test will not be scored, and your phone or device may be taken away."
posted by howfar at 2:52 AM on April 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'm sure he'll do great! Tell him to do something nice for himself: he probably needs a break. :)
"The prohibited use of devices is in effect from the time you are admitted to your testing room until you are dismissed at the end of the test, including break times.
Specifically:
You may not handle or access a cell phone or electronic device at any time in the testing room or during break times. This includes smart watches, fitness bands, and any other devices with recording, internet, or communication capabilities.
All devices, including cell phones and wearable devices, must be turned off and placed out of sight.
If you access your device or if your device activates while in the testing room or during break times, you will be dismissed, your test will not be scored, and your phone or device may be taken away."
posted by howfar at 2:52 AM on April 13, 2019 [2 favorites]
According to the linked document, proctors don't have to do this--but every proctor I've worked with DID take phones.
I would have him turn it off, put it away, and if the proctor takes phones, hand it in.
He just can't use it during the test or test breaks, but it seems like he knows this, right?
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:57 AM on April 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
I would have him turn it off, put it away, and if the proctor takes phones, hand it in.
He just can't use it during the test or test breaks, but it seems like he knows this, right?
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:57 AM on April 13, 2019 [1 favorite]
Absolutely. And if he wants to eliminate all anxiety, he can always ask someone invigilating whether they would prefer to hold devices, even if they don't ask. They will be sympathetic: I think everyone in that role has a good idea of what those sorts of nerves are like. The sense that there's one tiny overlooked rule that will undermine your whole future is so common as to be almost a defining feature of exam taking.
posted by howfar at 3:03 AM on April 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by howfar at 3:03 AM on April 13, 2019 [7 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
I am not seeing the problem. He needs the phone after the test, right? So have him surrender the phone like everyone else and he gets it back when the test is over. If he leaves it in his bag and anyone sees it, he won't be allowed to take the test and/or his testing booklet will be destroyed.
I've proctored these and the proctors hold on to the phones, kids get them back when the test is over. Kids cannot hold their phones for any reason.
If he suddenly needs the phone during the test, he can always leave and take the test another day.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 2:49 AM on April 13, 2019 [5 favorites]