are earplugs necessary?

[abcdefg]

I've never used them before but have just bought some to practice using at home incase I want to use it during the exam. However they're extremely uncomfortable so i'm just wondering if most people actually use these during the test or do ppl just go without it? thanks.

[aim-wsc]

I dont think so.
I personally dont use earplugs.

[abcdefg]

do the testing centers allow ear muffs?

[dmateer25]

The testing center provided me with ear plugs. I didn't use them until someone decided to cut the grass outside. Unless you have a situation like I did, you probably won't need ear plugs.

I am not sure about the ear muffs.

[gospy]

I'd guess it's just a preference thing. For example, I can't sleep without ear plugs and I wear them frequently when studying, so I would bet that when I do take the test, I will wear them.

Noise is distracting to me. I try to do just about as much math in my head as possible, so as to minimize the work I have to write down, so I need to be able to focus. And, I know that sounds crazy lol.

[VP_Jim]

I think the earplugs are more annoying than is having a little background noise - for me, it's very distracting to have something stuck in my ears for 4 hours. I like white noise, but I've certainly had students who thought otherwise.

[myohmy]

I preferred the noise canceling headphones they offered to the ear plugs -- plus they kept my ears warm!

[abcdefg]

do any of the testing centers provide noise canceling earphones?

[myohmy]

I took the test twice at two different centers, and both test centers did (both were in the US, I don't know about internationally).