Stanford 10 exam-day guide
Stanford 10 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Registration/admission confirmation
Bring the confirmation or admission document your test administrator issued. Requirements vary by site and by whether you are testing through a school or an approved individual administrator - confirm format with the provider.
Photo identification
Some sites require photo ID for the student or parent; many do not. Confirm the exact ID requirement with your test administrator before test day.
Several No. 2 pencils and a soft eraser
Bring at least three pre-sharpened No. 2 pencils plus a separate eraser. Answers are recorded on a separate answer document, so clean erasures matter.
Scratch paper
Scratch paper is commonly allowed for mathematics sections, but quantities and rules vary by site - confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Calculator, only if permitted
Calculator use depends on the test level and the administrator's policy. Do not bring one unless you have confirmed it is allowed for the specific level being taken.
Snack and water
Bring a quiet snack and water if breaks are scheduled. Confirm whether food and drink are permitted in the testing room.
Layered clothing
Testing rooms are often cold or drafty. Dress in layers so you can adjust without distraction.
Leave devices at home or powered off and stored
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are almost universally prohibited during testing. Confirm the site's storage policy in advance.
Directions, arrival time, and parking plan
Locate the exact building and room in advance and plan to arrive with buffer time for check-in.
A non-digital watch
Optional. Sections in this test series are generally untimed, so a watch is not essential, but it can help you gauge pacing. Confirm whether any timed sections apply at your level.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics in writing with the test administrator: date, arrival time, address and room, ID requirements, permitted materials, calculator and scratch-paper rules, break and snack policy, and how results will be delivered.
Review the format of the level being taken so there are no surprises: which subtests appear (e.g., reading, mathematics, language, spelling, science, social science, listening) and the item types used.
Work through a small number of practice items under quiet conditions, mainly to rehearse bubbling answers neatly and checking that the question number matches the answer-row number.
Shift bedtime earlier by 30–45 minutes each night so the wake-up time on test day is not a shock.
Pack the bag: pencils, eraser, scratch paper if allowed, confirmation document, ID if required, snack, water, layers. Put it by the door.
Do a light review only - a few minutes on directions and answer-document mechanics. No cramming; this is a broad achievement measure, not a content exam you can memorize for.
Confirm transport and set two alarms. Eat a normal dinner and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast, avoid heavy caffeine if you are not used to it, and arrive early enough to check in calmly and use the restroom before testing begins.
Power off devices and store them as directed, then set out pencils, eraser, and permitted materials on the desk before directions begin.
Listen to every set of directions in full, even if the section looks familiar, and confirm where to mark answers and how to correct a mistake.
Pace yourself steadily. These sections are generally untimed, so work carefully rather than rushing; if you are unsure whether a section is timed, ask the administrator before starting.
Answer every question - there is no separate penalty structure you should plan around, but confirm the scoring rules with the provider rather than assuming.
Every 10–15 questions, check that the answer-row number matches the question number. Misalignment is the most common avoidable error on a separate answer document.
If a question seems to have a printing problem or you are missing a page, raise your hand and tell the administrator rather than guessing at what was intended.
Rules to check
Follow the administrator's instructions exactly; the administrator controls timing, breaks, seating, and materials, and site practice may differ from general guidance - confirm specifics with the provider.
Bring and present identification only in the form the provider requires. Do not assume a school site and an individual administrator have identical ID policies; ask in advance.
Electronic devices must be off and out of reach during testing. If a device sounds or is used during a section, the administrator may invalidate that section's results.
Take breaks only when the administrator schedules them, except in an emergency, in which case raise your hand and wait for direction.
Mark answers only on the official answer document, using a No. 2 pencil, and erase changes completely. Marks in the test booklet are not scored.
No one may coach, prompt, translate, or assist the student with item content during testing; accommodations must be approved and arranged before test day, so confirm any accommodation request with the provider well in advance.
Scores are norm-referenced reports (such as national percentile ranks and stanines) rather than a pass/fail result; only the official scoring service's report is authoritative - confirm how and when results will be released.
If you are unsure about any rule - materials, calculator, scratch paper, timing, or accommodations - ask the test administrator before the session begins rather than during it.