Love the SAT is here to help Austin students prepare for the big test! In addition to helping students master the material, we want to make sure everyone’s Test Day Jitters are at a minimum! The best way to reduce test anxiety is to know what to expect; here are some helpful tips for a stress free (almost!) test day!
WHAT TO BRING:
- Your Admission Ticket
- Two #2 pencils and erasers (your backup pencil may save you!)
- Photo ID
- Calculator (make sure in advance that your calculator is acceptable by checking here!)
- Your favorite sweater (the temperature of your testing room may waver between too cold or too hot, so wear layers!)
- A snack and water (these are crucial during break times to prevent your grumbling stomach or parched throat from distracting you from your test!)
- A watch if you want to keep your own time. Of course we have a wall clock and announce the time throughout the test, too!
- Backup batteries for your calculator (because who doesn’t love some good backup?!)
WHAT TO DO:
- Go to bed! That is, the night before, not during the test! 😉
Study in advance, and don’t cram the night before–it’ll stress you out! Do something relaxing to unwind and to get your head in a good place.
- Fuel up!
Eat a good healthy breakfast that will keep you going⎼avoid sugar and fat (no donuts!) that will make you crash. Know yourself: if you can’t get the day started without a cup of coffee, go ahead, but today is not the day to start if that’s not you!
- Know your testing center!
Know where you’re going to avoid stress while heading out the door, and where in the building your testing room is so you’re not wandering frantically right before the test. If you get high anxiety, you may even want to scope out the inside of the room to familiarize yourself and know what to expect.
- Be prepared!
Make a checklist from that list up there. Make sure you have everything you need the night before⎼no need to scramble in the morning! Except for eggs! 😉
- The early bird catches the worm, right?
Get there early. I repeat: get there early. We don’t want to have to worry about traffic and “Where are the room number signs?? If I were a testing room, I’d be down this hall, right? RIGHT??”
- Cell phone?
If you can, try to leave the phone at home. If you must take it, MAKE SURE it’s COMPLETELY OFF. Not just silent. You don’t want to be kicked out of the test because you forgot to silence your phone!
- Tune out!
Most likely, the guy to your left has allergies and will be sniveling the whole time. The girl to your right taps her pencil, and the guy behind you breathes really loudly through his mouth. Be ready to tune it all out. Namaste!
So! You’ve prepared for the content, and now you have some tips for the big day. Keep these in mind, and you are sure to have a smooth test-taking experience. AND GOOD LUCK!