The day is here, and you’re down to your last hours before the test. You’ve done your prep, and you should feel confident and ready to totally dominate the exam. Here are five things to remember before starting.
Dress Comfortably:
Wear the most comfortable clothes you have. You don’t want to feel restless or distracted in the testing room because your itchy new jeans are messing with your concentration. Don’t get carried away, though. Leave your favorite blanket and stuffed animal at home.
Do Some Last-Minute Review:
Have a very brief study sheet ready to review before the test starts. Include easy concepts you feel you might forget, like math formulas. Look it over before the exam begins. It’ll be fresh in your mind and you can then write the formulas down when you receive the test section.
Have Everything Ready:
Take the time to think about what you’ll need. Do you have number two pencils? Are they sharpened? Do you have enough water? And don’t forget to make sure that all of your notes are put away. Even if you aren’t using them, a proctor can kick you out of the test if they see ANY version of notes during testing. Remember that a small lapse in judgment can lead to a HUGE setback on test day.
Take (Mental) Breaks
Standardized tests are stressful. Short mental breaks can help you process information quicker and more efficiently than forcing yourself to act like a robot during the test. Look up from your desk, take a deep breath, and stretch in your seat. It will help you relax and increase blood flow throughout your body and to your brain. While you’re not allowed to get up from your desk unless it’s an official break, find ways to give yourself a short mental break when you need it. That reset will help you refocus.
Check Your Answers:
Complete all of the questions on the section – even if you have to guess – and then return to your answer section and begin checking as many questions as possible. First, make sure you didn’t fill out any wrong bubbles by mistake. Make sure your bubbles are completely filled in, and ensure your handwriting is legible on the essay section. Make it your goal to find at least one error on every section while reviewing your previous answer choices.
Now, go crush that exam!
Do you like what you’ve read? Please click the links to share with friends or colleagues who would also benefit from an overview of current K-12 education.
About Winward Academy – Winward Academy is one of the world’s leading innovators in the online education space, providing web-based academic support that enhances students’ knowledge, confidence, and competitiveness in middle and high school academics and in college applications. We help thousands of students every year by providing personalized, comprehensive ACT and SAT test preparation and extensive math curriculum support. The Winward Academy learning platform honors over 40 years of education and cognitive psychology research, incorporating proven techniques that promote effective learning.
Winward Academy’s unmatched reputation is wholly attributable to our students’ exceptional success and to the trust earned among students, parents, and schools around the world.
