Water bottles

PVTCs, PVTC Selects, PVTC Government Centers, and other test centers that are not owned by Pearson are not required to allow water bottles in the testing room. However, Pearson encourages you to allow water bottles because they are considered a comfort aid (see Comfort aids).

If you do not allow water bottles in the testing room at your site, notify candidates ahead of time by including this information in your site directions in Site Manager. (For more information about using the Location tool in Site Manager to update your site directions, see Application instructions in the Connect portal.)

If acceptable at your test center, candidates are permitted to bring one water bottle into the testing room without prior approval. The water bottle must meet all of the following requirements:

Made of fully transparent, colorless plastic (no glass or metal parts)
Contains water only
Holds no more than 750 mL (25 oz)
Has a leak-proof, resealable cap with no metal components
Does not have labels, stickers, sleeves, or handwritten markings
Does not have any electronic components or other accessories
Does not make noise (no disposable bottles)

Inspecting the water bottle

Visually inspect the water bottle. Do not open, smell, touch, or handle a candidate's water bottle at any time.

If the water bottle meets all requirements, instruct the candidate to keep it on the desktop, away from workstation equipment. Do not allow candidates to place bottles on the floor. Candidates must take water bottles out of the testing room during breaks.

If the water bottle does not meet the requirements, inform the candidate which criteria are not met and ask them to store the bottle in a secure area (such as a locker). If permitted by the exam sponsor, candidates can access their stored water bottle during breaks.

If candidates want to bring any beverage other than plain water into the testing room, they must request an accommodation prior to scheduling their exam.