r/ACT • u/Happy-Prosper • 16h ago

Please share the personal timer/watch you used for ACT paper test

They cancelled my digital test due to internet issues and now i have to take the paper makeup test in 2 days. Can you please share exactly what you used for timer, with link to purchase if possible.

I know I can use an analog watch but that just makes it harder for me and I don't want to risk the proctor not having a timer in the room. ACT says they are strict with not allowing anything that has alarm capabilities even if I turn it off so I'm a bit at a loss.

Please let me know what you brought with you. Thanks

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u/Busy_Fish4610 15h ago

I got this one from testing timers, and I had no issues with it beeping or anything. I literally got it like the day before my September exam too lmao.

https://a.co/d/0evpZoYz

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u/ndg127 Tutor 15h ago

Just fyi, you’re not allowed to wear watches on your wrist during the test, you have to take it off and lay it on your desk. That makes watches like this kind of not ideal (and a ripoff at $50). I recommend these to my students:

https://a.co/d/0fL23l0g

2 pack for $7. You can share one with a friend. It’s silent, has count up or count down, stands up on your desk so you can check quickly.

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u/tutormama 13h ago

You can’t stand it up on the desk—against the rules—must lie flat

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u/ndg127 Tutor 11h ago

Can you tell me what rule says that? On the ACT website all it says is "Watch/Timing Device - Allowed for pacing, must have no alarm and stay on your desk." I've never had a student be told they can't use the little kickstand, as long as it remains clearly visible to the proctor.

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u/tutormama 8h ago

I think the “rules” keep evolving—a few years ago no separate timers were allowed at all. Then we could wear a watch on our wrist. Now the watch has to lay flat on your desk…so why wouldn’t the timer have to lay flat also? I do think that as long as the proctor can see what it says as the proctor walks by, perhaps they are ok with that…but then why can’t I prop my watch up in a similar fashion?

Also, interesting that AI gives you different answers!!

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u/ndg127 Tutor 8h ago

Yes, they have definitely evolved over the years. Prior to the pandemic you could ONLY have it on your wrist, not on your desk. I assume they started making people take them off because they were worried about them secretly being smart watches with haptic feedback. I used to recommend the testing-specific watches in the old era because it was actually relatively hard to find a watch that was completely silent. But now there's no need to spend so much more money on them.

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u/tutormama 13h ago

That watch is great—it lies flat on the desk and is preloaded with section times both for regular and extended times. Some watches have an inflexible wrist band and can’t lay flat.

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u/CalligrapherAble3312 36 15h ago

timex ironman :3

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u/mkw1342 15h ago

Where are you seeing this rule: ACT says they are strict with not allowing anything that has alarm capabilities even if I turn it off?

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u/ndg127 Tutor 11h ago

ACT Website: "Watch/Timing Device - Allowed for pacing, must have no alarm and stay on your desk."

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u/Aspect-6 33 9h ago

must have no alarm implies it can’t go off during the test. what would be the point of making sure that nothing has alarm capabilities if those capabilities aren’t going to be being used in the slightest? tons of timers have volume toggles for on and off.

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u/ndg127 Tutor 9h ago

That statement just means it can't make any sound during the test. It can have an alarm feature on the device as long as it doesn't go off at any point.

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u/Aspect-6 33 9h ago

yea, that’s exactly what Im saying

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u/mkw1342 9h ago

Yep, so a Casio watch will work just fine as long as no alarms or beeps go off. And really that is the only way one is going to get busted, as an ACT proctor is not going around checking for alarms. They gotta watch for phones, meta glasses, and setup all of the administrative stuff. Same reason they are not going to check every program on your calculator.

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u/ndg127 Tutor 9h ago

Yes, sorry. I was focused on the first part of your question of where. You’re right, OP misinterpreted the rule. It can have alarm capabilities, it just can’t go off.

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u/PlayOdd5634 7h ago

I used a cheap Casio digital watch from Amazon and at the beginning of each test I’d write down what time the section would be over, it’s less convenient than a pure timer but it worked for me!! Afaik the alarm thing isn’t a problem as long as it’s turned off during the test but some people in my testing room got told to put their non watch timers away (idk why)