Taking the SAT: Day of Preparation Tips

If college is in your future, you should take the SAT exam. If you have already paid for and scheduled your test, you may think you are all set. Yes, technically, you are, but there are some other pointers you should know. Did you know that there is a lot of preparation needed for the day of the test? There is. What? Continue reading on to find out.

Give yourself time in the morning. The night before the exam, you will set your alarm. When doing so, give yourself time. If you are a person who always hits the snooze button, account for this extra time. The SAT is not something you want to be late for. Not only that, you don’t want to rush in the morning to get ready. A hectic and stressful morning is one of the easiest ways to do poorly on the SAT, even if you know your information. Give yourself plenty of time. If you end up with a few minutes to spare, take the time to review your study guides.

Have a parent or friend make sure you are awake. As previously stated, you do not want to be and cannot be late for the SAT. Most tests require students to arrive at the test site by 7:45 a.m. If you are late, your position can be given to a student on standby. For that reason, make sure your parents or a close friend knows your SAT test date. Encourage them to ensure you are up and around first thing in the morning.

Review your notes if you have free time. If you stop to enjoy breakfast, which you should, review your notes. Flip through them, your study flashcards, or a textbook. Familiarize yourself with subjects covered on your SAT Subject Test. If only taking the standard SAT and not the optional subject tests, review your math notes and English notes. Although reviewing notes will help to keep topics in mind, don’t let this be the first time you are studying or reviewing for the SAT.

Double check your bag. It is recommended that you pack a bag with needed supplies the night before. Before leaving, make sure you have everything you need. This includes two number two pencils, a standalone eraser, and a working calculator. You cannot use pens on the exam, so don’t bring them. Also included in your bag, should be a small snack and drink. You cannot consume these items during the test, but will have a safe location to store them for your scheduled breaks. Most importantly, have your SAT ticket and a valid form of photo identification.

Arrive early for the exam. As previously stated, there is nothing worse than being late. You may be unable to take the test. For that reason, arrive early. Even if you have to wait 15 minutes, do it. Also, be sure you have a ride home. If you are not driving yourself, have transportation to and from the test arranged well in advance. Just double check your plans the morning of the SAT.

As highlighted above, there are many things you can and should do to prepare for the SAT on the day of the test. So, if your test date is quickly approaching, be sure to implement these steps. They can help to improve your success and your test scores.