7 Test Day Tips for the SAT

SAT

SAT Tips

You've been studying for months, and now the day is finally here.  The day of your SAT.  Instead of switching to panic, just remember these 7 essential tips to keep your head cool and be successful.

1) Eat and drink before the test, but not right before.

Eat a well-balanced breakfast and drink lots of water at least 1 hour before the test. You want to feel comfortable and at ease during the exam. Don't deviate too much from your standard morning routine (i.e. don’t drink coffee if you aren’t used to it!).

2) Get in the mood.

Think about the subject in which you are being tested. Mentally review the content you have studied and refer to a cheat sheet or flashcards to reinforce or clarify any last minute questions. (Also, it doesn’t hurt to channel your favorite action hero.)

3) Think through the test strategy that you have studied.

Outline your test strategy so you can dive right in. Think about how you plan to approach the different types of questions you will see, as well as any recommendations for timing. Worried you don’t have a “strategy”? Jot down three things you would like to make sure you do during the test (i.e. read questions slowly, outline, double check answers). There. Now, you have a strategy.

4) Wear a watch.

Every test has time constraints. Make sure you wear a watch so that you can keep track of your progress and slow down or speed up as you go. You don't want to be caught when time's up with only half of the exam finished!

5) Arrive early so you have time to get settled.

Don't add to the pressure by feeling rushed on your way (or worse, getting lost)! Big caveat: even if you are taking a test at your own school, plan for the unforeseen (painting underway in a stairwell you always use as a shortcut…). The point is leave extra time – this is an easy win.

6) Take your time.

Once you get started on the test, take your time reading the directions, as well as each individual question. Some students score lower on tests, not because they didn't know the answer, but because they misread the question or they felt rushed in responding.

Just stay cool.

7) Be confident.

You’ve put in the hours studying. Don’t let your nerves get the best of you. Go in there and trust yourself! And, what if you haven’t put in the hours? Well, dig a little deeper and you will find that you know more than you realized. For what it’s worth, getting stressed won’t help at this point, so ride this one out.  Who knows?  Maybe you’ll surprise yourself! a lesson about studying more in advance next time!).

Interested in getting set up with one of our amazing SAT tutors?

Contact us!

Comments

topicTopics
academics study skills MCAT medical school admissions SAT expository writing college admissions English MD/PhD admissions strategy writing LSAT GMAT GRE physics chemistry math biology graduate admissions academic advice ACT interview prep law school admissions test anxiety language learning premed MBA admissions career advice personal statements homework help AP exams creative writing MD study schedules test prep computer science Common Application summer activities history mathematics philosophy organic chemistry secondary applications economics supplements research 1L PSAT admissions coaching grammar law psychology statistics & probability legal studies ESL CARS SSAT covid-19 dental admissions logic games reading comprehension engineering USMLE calculus PhD admissions Spanish mentorship parents Latin biochemistry case coaching verbal reasoning DAT English literature STEM excel medical school political science skills AMCAS French Linguistics MBA coursework Tutoring Approaches academic integrity chinese letters of recommendation Anki DO Social Advocacy admissions advice algebra art history artificial intelligence astrophysics business cell biology classics diversity statement gap year genetics geometry kinematics linear algebra mechanical engineering mental health presentations quantitative reasoning study abroad technical interviews time management work and activities 2L DMD IB exams ISEE MD/PhD programs Sentence Correction adjusting to college algorithms amino acids analysis essay athletics business skills careers cold emails data science dental school finance first generation student functions graphing information sessions international students internships logic networking poetry resume revising science social sciences software engineering tech industry trigonometry writer's block 3L AAMC Academic Interest EMT FlexMed Fourier Series Greek Health Professional Shortage Area Italian Lagrange multipliers London MD vs PhD MMI Montessori National Health Service Corps Pythagorean Theorem Python Shakespeare Step 2 TMDSAS Taylor Series Truss Analysis Zoom acids and bases active learning architecture argumentative writing art art and design schools art portfolios bacteriology bibliographies biomedicine brain teaser campus visits cantonese capacitors capital markets central limit theorem centrifugal force chemical engineering chess chromatography class participation climate change clinical experience community service constitutional law consulting cover letters curriculum dementia demonstrated interest dimensional analysis distance learning econometrics electric engineering electricity and magnetism escape velocity evolution executive function freewriting genomics harmonics health policy history of medicine history of science hybrid vehicles hydrophobic effect ideal gas law immunology induction infinite institutional actions integrated reasoning intermolecular forces intern investing investment banking lab reports linear maps mandarin chinese matrices mba medical physics meiosis microeconomics mitosis mnemonics music music theory nervous system neurology neuroscience object-oriented programming office hours operating systems