Test Day Prep

1) Prepare Things the Night Before

Preparing certain things the night before an exam can help distress and slow down your morning to allow yourself to wake up and get ready with ease and peace of mind. Things to prepare the night before should be, first and foremost, your materials, that way you know that you have them, you know where they are, and you know that they’re ready. Also allow yourself to get enough sleep, which is probably more than you usually get. 

2) Wake Up Your Mind and Body

It’s very important that in the morning you’re focusing on waking up both your mind and body so that you’re wholeheartedly ready to take on a long test. A great way to do this is to put on music while you’re in the shower and getting ready. 

3) Wear Appropriate Clothing

When getting dressed, think of the testing room and environment over the weather. Even if it’s 90 degrees outside, think of what the test environment will be like.  Keeping your body comfortable helps to minimize distractions while taking the test.  ALSO...Wearing the same "lucky sweater" or perfume that you wear when studying helps your mind recall what you studied! 

4) Eat a Smart Breakfast

Even if you’re not a breakfast person, eating breakfast is essential before a long test. Your brain needs fuel to work at its best.  So, try to eat at least a couple of bites of a granola bar.  Work on avoiding foods with high sodium and fat contents, because those can make you get that “sleepy” feeling.  Also avoid sugary foods for longer tests, because you can quickly get a slump in energy when the sugar is metabolized.   

5) Warm Up Your Brain

While you’re eating breakfast and getting ready during the morning, try to read something small and short. This gets your brain in the mood of reading and processing information that it gained visually. Reading lightly before an exam is the same effect as stretching before working out. You’re about to exercise your brain so it needs to be warmed up to perform its best as well. 

6) Arrive a bit early

Nothing is more stressful to the proctor, the other testers, and yourself than arriving late. Allow time for traffic and unexpected delays so that you can arrive at the testing location with time to spare. This allows you to get comfortable with your surroundings and calm down before you embark on the exam. You also don’t want to end up wasting your money by being late and not being able to take the exam at all.