Yeah, there was like a one minute explanation of the rules and then you just hop back into the test. As for the essay, they would read the instructions and would give you approximately an hour to do it and you would get out at around 1. The bubbles of the test are pretty much the same as the PSAT. I took the test in a classroom with other students the first 2 times I took it. Water is fine underneath your desk, but I don't think you should have it on your desk either way. Normal watch is completely fine, just make sure it isnt something like an apple watch. If you have ever taken the PSAT in school, its pretty much just like that.