Can I use a calculator or take notes during the dMAT Core Module?

No. No calculator, scratch paper, or notes are allowed at any stage of any Core Module subtest, including Mathematical Equations, which must be solved through pure mental substitution.

Why the No-Notes Rule Matters

Students who have only practised on paper tend to struggle most on exam day. The gap between solving with a pen and solving purely in your head is larger than most applicants expect, especially on equation systems and grid logic.

How to Adapt Your Practice

Drill Latin Squares and equation systems mentally from the first week of preparation rather than leaving this adjustment for the final week. Making the exam-day condition your default from the start closes that gap well before test day.

My Advice

Practise every single mock question without a pen in hand from day one of your preparation, not just in your final week of mocks. The no-notes rule is what trips up well-prepared students most, so make the exam-day condition your default practice condition immediately.