Test Day Tips for Standardized Tests

Standardized tests are a fact of every student’s life. Whether applying to private school, college, or graduate school, standardized tests pop up again and again – whether students like it or not.

Succeeding on these exams is as much about a student’s mind being in the right place on test day as anything else. I remember tossing and turning the night before a standardized test with anxiety about all the things that could go wrong on test day that were outside of my control: the power would go out while I was sleeping and my alarm clock wouldn’t go off, all of my pencils would break in my backpack, or worse yet … I feared that I forgot to register for the exam! After months of hard work and preparation, we shouldn’t let these self-defeating thoughts take us hostage on test day. We should approach test day with confidence knowing that our hard work and preparation will pay off.

Here are a few reminders and tips to help optimize your performance on test day:

1. Review your registration information to make certain you know where to arrive and when.

2. Bring a valid student ID, bottle of water, watch, tissues, and a snack with you to the exam.

3. Bring at least three semi-dull number 2 pencils with erasers to use on the exam. Sharpened pencils break easily and mechanical pencils involve too much clicking (dull pencils are also better for shading in circles).

4. Bring erasable pens with you to the exam to use on the essay section (if there is one). It is better to erase your mistakes than to cross them out, and erasable pens will enable you to do this.

5. Wear comfortable shoes so that you can easily move your toes. Wiggling your toes during the exam will help you to stay focused and keep your blood flowing!

6. Eat a balanced breakfast that is satiating but not so filling that you feel sleepy. You can eat snacks during your break periods, so don’t over eat at the breakfast table, but also don’t skip out on the most important meal of the day! I have listed some of my favorite breakfast and snack suggestions below:

• A piece of whole grain toast with nut butter (I prefer almond butter) and a glass of fresh juice. Cut up a granny smith apple to bring as a snack.
• 2 scrambled eggs, a piece of whole grain toast, and a glass of fresh juice. Bring a handful of almonds and a banana or apple slices for a snack.
• 1 cup of oatmeal or other hot, whole grain cereal with almonds and raisins sprinkled on top. Bring a hardboiled egg and a piece of fruit as a snack.

7. Bring something enjoyable to read with you to the exam. After you have finished and reviewed the section of the exam you are working on, you may have time leftover before the start of the next section. Rather than twiddling your thumbs, read something entertaining and relaxing. Don’t read anything that would compromise your sense of confidence or focus.

8. Dress for success, but wear something comfortable. The better you look and feel, the more confident you will perform! My mother told me to wear my favorite pair of socks on test day and to think of this hidden joy as my secret weapon. Think of something that will work for you to calm your nerves and give you something to smile about on test day.

9. Relax, Breathe, and Succeed! We are all rooting for you!