As many of you make final preparations for taking this Saturday’s SAT test, I’d like to share a few simple but important tips on what to do the night before and the morning of the test. You’ve worked hard on your test prep up to this point – now take some time to review some basic, but often overlooked, pre-game strategies.
SAT Test Day — The Night Before and the Morning of the Exam (transcript)
My students often ask me for last minute advice on what to do the night before the exam and the morning of the exam. Here’s what I tell them:
After dinner, collect the things you’ll need on test day:
1) Your SAT Admission Ticket
2) Your Student ID or Driver’s License
3) Several #2 Pencils (with good erasers!)
4) Calculator
5) Watch or other timepiece
6) A good snack! (the test is very long; you will need a snack)
You may also want to decide what clothes you’re going to wear on test day. Remember to dress in layers, because you can’t control the temperature. The SAT test room will most likely be either warmer or colder than you would prefer.
After you have collected your things, be sure to relax! Watch a movie, talk to a friend on the phone, or go out for a walk. Do something to take your mind off the test.
Here’s my advice on bedtime: if you’re in the habit of going to bed around 11 o’clock, don’t go to bed at 8 o’clock the night before the SAT test. If you’re anything like me, you’re going to wind up starring at the ceiling for hours feeling frustrated. Rather, you should aim to go to bed about 1 hour before you normally would on a school night. Also, remember to set you alarm early enough so that you comfortably have time to get ready for the exam. You don’t want to create a time pressure situation for yourself. There’s going to be enough pressure during the actual SAT exam.
The Final Step:
In the morning, you should remember to Check Your Brain!
After breakfast, take out a test prep book and do the first two questions of each of the three sections. After a few easy math, writing, and sentence completion problems, you’ll realize your brain is still working and everything is going to be OK. Don’t check the answers….just do the problems. I don’t think the first problems you do on test day should be the real ones on the SAT exam.
Hopefully this advice will help you maximize your SAT test score. Good luck, and remember to stay positive!
Karl Schellscheidt
ePrep
www.eprep.com
Copyright 2006 — All Rights Reserved, ePrep, Inc.
November 1st, 2006 at 10:22 pm
I actually took your advice and did a couple of problems the morning of the PSAT. I have to say, I think it did calm my nerves a bit.
March 27th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
This is great advice. Relaxation and preparation are key.
For my final SAT, I also weaned myself off of caffeine (on which I had developed a dependency) the week before the test, then drank some caffeine before the test. My reasoning was that people who are addicted to caffeine have often developed a tolerance, meaning that they require more caffeine to give them that “edge” than they did before. I figured that by breaking my tolerance for it, then having it the morning of the test, I would be extra-alert that morning. A bit extreme, maybe, but it worked for me.
March 27th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
Thanks for the added advice, Sarah. FYI: I didn’t start drinking coffee until after college, and now I have a hard time getting started in the morning without a steaming cup. By the way, if I were taking a long test like the SAT, I would be careful not to drink too much of anything to avoid the need for frequent trips to the bathroom — but that’s just me.
April 28th, 2007 at 2:42 pm
i failed the sat because i did not try
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Thanks so much for the tips! I think they’ll be a great help.
I have to take my first SAT this saturday – I’ve only got one shot at it. I’ll be going to college in sept (assuming I pass the SAT). I’ve been doing a lot of practice exams under exam conditions (a full 3-4 hours at a time), and reading these tips on the site.
Something I was just wondering about, different books and website say that there will be a break between each section (only like 5 min) and others say there will be just one 5 or 10 min break midway through… other materials don’t mention breaks at all… Are there breaks? if so, how long, and how many?
Thanks so much!
Derrick
(Canada)
May 3rd, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Derrick,
You are entitled to a break after each our of testing. The breaks are usually between 5 and 10 minutes long, depending on the proctor. You are permitted to have snacks during your breaks.
Good luck on Saturday.
Karl
May 4th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Thanks so much for the info! as well as all the other tips…
I think I’m much more prepared than I would have been if I hadn’t seen your website. Keep up the good work!
Derrick
May 6th, 2007 at 12:13 am
Thanks, Derrick. I really appreciate your kind words. Send me an update when you get a chance. –Karl
May 8th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Okay, so I did the SAT and it was easier than I’d thought it would be…
I was able to finish each Math section with about 2 minutes to spare, the Critical Reading sections with about 7-8 minutes to spare, and the Writing sections with about 3-4 minutes to spare, which is better than most of my practice tests.
I figured out during the test that the testing section was a math section, but I wasn’t sure until I looked at the test organization on the SAT website which section it was…
I was using the “Video Aided Instruction” SAT prep videos to prepare, and then in the last week I found this site. The videos gave me the foundation, but this site answered a lot of “on-the-side” questions I had, and gave me some great tips that I think really helped. Like doing those practice questions after breakfast, and I also had a quick review of my math notes from the Video Aided Instruction video… I think that really helped. Thanks so much!
Derrick
P.S. I think you’re doing a great job with this website. I went into the test feeling prepared and perhaps more importantly, (I think) feeling confident that a) I knew what was going to happen and how it would happen, and b) I knew how to tackle the test, and to relax, focus, and concentrate. I wouldn’t have been nearly as confident or prepared as I was if I hadn’t come to this site. Thanks so much!
Keep it up!
May 24th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
Well, here’s the final update: I was finally able to log on and view my scores. I got the following marks:
Section Score National Percentile
Critical Reading 690 94%
Math 590 71%
Writing 650 90%
Multiple Choice 66
Essay 8
this adds up for a total overall score of: 1930, if I understand it correctly.
Thanks again for all your help! You’re doing a great job!
Derrick
May 24th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Hey Derrick..
You got a very high score on the CR section. I’ve been working very hard to improve my score in that area. I’ve come a long way in the writing and math sections, but the reading is where I need desperate improvement.
Can you pass on some quick pointers since 690 is an amazing score.
You got a 590 in math, the one section that can be boosted in a matter of weeks. So do that..
Your pointers would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
May 24th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Great job, Derrick. Your scores look good. If you decide to take it again, I am sure you can bump your math up without too much difficulty. If you decide not to take it again, I think you will do well with what you have now. Good luck.
May 26th, 2007 at 1:12 am
Hi Arad,
Perhaps one of the reasons that I did well in the CR section is the fact that I’ve always had a knack for English… but I used a few strategies that may help…
For the fill in the blank questions, I use process of elimination: just cross out the ones I _know_ are not right, and pick from the rest. (If you know your prefixes and suffixes it helps!)
For the short passage questions, I quickly scan the questions, (not the answers) then read the whole passage, answering the line-reference questions first and then the global questions (the ones asking about themes and author’s opinions, etc)
For the longer passage questions, I would again quickly scan the questions (not the answers – I found that if I read some of the answers it would put me off track – especially with the global questions) then for all the line reference questions, go the the passage and mark the line (you get pretty fast at it with practice).
Then I’d go and read the passage through entirely. I find that for myself, alternatively reading in segments and answering questions would distract me from the main point in the passage, and I would have trouble with the global questions.
(One variation would be to read until you get to one of your marks indicating a line-reference question, quickly answer it and continue reading. I didn’t find this as helpful as just reading the passage as a whole.)
After reading the passage, I would then go and quickly knock off the line-reference questions. Afterwards I would tackle the global questions dealing with the author’s intentions, or “most-likely agree with” questions, etc. One thing to note is the time you spend on these global questions – I’m a debater type, and on the practice exams I would frequently catch myself debating one answer over another in my head. I found that usually after a quick, focused consideration, my first impulse was the correct one. (again, reading the passage as a whole thing really helps here – especially with the long passages)
Hope this helps!
Derrick
May 26th, 2007 at 10:25 am
Derrick,
I think your advice is pretty solid. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I just wanted to add that sometimes I try skipping the longer passages entirely. I go right to the questions that have line references. Once I have done them all, I try to answer the global questions. Anyway, it seems to work for me.
October 17th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Hey Guys,
I’m taking the PSAT today and I feel like I’m going to fail. My cranium just isn’t good at scholastic stuff. Wish me luck!
Jimmy in Manhattan
October 17th, 2007 at 11:27 am
Good luck, Jimmy.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
this website is amazing! taking first SAT in the morning! A bit nervous…since I didnt know I was ddoing it this early untill about 2 weeks ago..So I’m pretty much just going in to take a chance at it and see how I do. I’ve been preparing for it for a while, so I should be okay. But I’ll come back and tell you guys some techniques I thought were helpful! What a great site!!
January 27th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Junior,
I trust all went well on Saturday. Thanks for the kind words about the site. Hope to hear from you soon.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:10 am
im taking it saturday… i need a 1900
February 27th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Good luck, Todd. If you haven’t already tried “ePrepping” for the SAT, you may want to sign up for and do ePrep Express. It’s free and can be completed before Saturday. Again, good luck.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Thank you for all of the advice. I have used your website, and found your answer explanations very helpful. After I watched your lessons, I took practice tests and began to get a feel for the more difficult questions. Although I am scoring in my desired range on practice tests, I am a little nervous that my actual SAT scores will be a little lower..I don’t know why..
Thanks for everything
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 pm
Hey,
I am taking the SAT for the first time tomarrow, I think right
now I have practiced the most on my math and essay portions. I have read
many essays in the OFFICIAL SAT STUDY GUIDE. Hopefully this will
help me. Does anyone have any last minute pointers to give me. I think
I am adequately prepared. Though I do understand that my decision to
prepare only 3 weeks before was probably not a well thought out
decision, I think with a well balanced breakfeast and a clear mind
I will do well. The advise on this website has helped me a colossal
amount. Please keep the advise comming and thank you so much. You
have no idea how much you have benefitted me. Thanks!
Jessie
November 1st, 2008 at 5:48 am
Hey guys, don’t worry too much about the SAT. The questions on there are mostly questions you’ve already had in school for years.
I got a 2240 and I didn’t really study… so don’t worry. I mean, study if you’re worried because obviously studying will help, but it’s not too bad.
CR: 770
M: 730
W: 740
January 21st, 2009 at 6:07 pm
this is great reading. I’m taking the test a couple of years early to see how I’ll do. I’m not in high school yet. I’ve been studying for the math part because that I can actually learn but I really havn’t done much to improve my verbal scores. I do okay on the reading passages but the vocab I find nearly impossible.
Does anyone have any advise for me?
January 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Nick,
Don’t worry. You’re young and colleges will never see your scores. Just relax and do the best you can. Use the results to guide your future preparation efforts. Good luck.
January 21st, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Karl,
thanks for the advise. I just came back from a math study group with a few friends. I feel pretty confident that I’ll do okay on math sections. I’m only in 7th grade and I’ve been told if I score over 500 on each section that’s a good score for someone in my grade. I am also part of the st hopkins talent search.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:28 am
Nick,
Let me know how it goes. Again, good luck.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:50 pm
I just found out my best friend isn’t taking the SAT on Saturday. He’s going to wait until he’s in high school. We were planning on going together. I wonder how many other kids my age will be there. I’m 12. I’m a bit nervous.
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:09 am
Nick,
You have nothing to lose. Try not to get anxious. It’s the high school students who should be nervous. Every teenager who sees you on Saturday is going to assume that you are some kind of genius or child prodigy. Enjoy it.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Good luck nick! ill be taking it with u. enjoy it as your only in 7th grade…for us juniors, its a bit more stressful. though the new policy allows u to erase your bad scores so colleges cant see them. no pressure! have fun with it! good luck to everyone taking it tomrrow!
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
thanks for the nice advice. I’m sure it’ll help me. I feel a bit better today and am actually excited to take the test. Let me know how it goes Sara.
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
thanks for the advice and good luck to you too. I feel a bit better today and am excited about taking it tomorrow.
January 24th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
So how did the test go Sara?
I thought it went very well. I think I did great on the math. I finished each section with time to spare and had time to check my answers. One question I didn’t spend any time on though because it would have taken me forever. I think my math score will be very good. The reading passages were boring. I had to tap myself on the head to stay awake. I think I did good on the essay. But I ran out of time and had to hurry on the conclusion. I was able to think of lots of examples. The vocab was impossible!
March 13th, 2009 at 9:30 am
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March 13th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
So, tomorrow is the big day, again.
I took the test once in January.
CR: 540
M: 760
W: 650
If I get a good test, I can get an 800 on Math.
I can probably push my Writing score to the 700 mark, + or – 20 points.
Critical Reading, I can’t say. I do practice tests, always get
between a 600-680, but vocab is my weakest area. I will walk
into the test open it up, not understand the vocab for two or
three questions and get upset at myself for the reading passages.
What should I do differently?
Should I do the vocab last? or what?
Any advice on how to improve my CR score is welcomed.
Thanks.
March 13th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Jason, Definitely do the vocab last. Otherwise, just relax and try your best. It will all be okay in the end. Trust me. Good luck.
March 14th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Hey guys so I filiund this website and I’m really glad I did. I’m taking my first sat this morning and I’m freaking out PSATs were really good but there’s something about the rea ltest that freaks me out . Wish me luck!!! And thanks guys!!!
March 14th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Cynthia, Good luck.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:56 pm
hey. thanks so much for this. i have no even considered trying a few problems in the morning, but it sounds like a good idea. i take the SATs tomorrow and hopefully your advice works.
i was going to go to bed at like 6 p.m. so im not tired (LOL) but and hour earlier prob is a better idea.
thanks again
November 29th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Hi,
I’ve been taking Kaplan practice tests for about a week now. My score has already increased by 180 points from when i took a practice test in October. I’m doing pretty well, with my CW being really high, but I need help on the Math portion. I’m getting around a 600, and need to get atleast a 750. What do I do? I’m taking the SAT’s next Saturday, on the 5th.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:17 am
Anxiety,
Just keep practicing. It will make a difference. Trust me.
Every wrong answer on a practice test is a learning opportunity. It is not important how well you do on the practice tests; your performance on test day is the only one that counts. Keep this in mind as you practice.
Good luck.
December 3rd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Hello,
I’m currently having a nervous breakdown from my SAT exam, which is after 1 day, 5th of DECEMBER, and I can’t think about anything else. I want to achieve a high score. However,, I feel that I will be so nervous that I will not be able to concentrate.
I want to ask, that do u get higher on the practice test, or on the real thing
I got a maximum score of 1700 in the Practice test, but I’m aiming to
get 2000 on the real thing
Is it possible??
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Faris,
Some students do better on the real test, and some don’t. Being a bit nervous is not a bad thing. Just go in and try your best. You will be able to concentrate once you calm down. Remember, the essay is first, and, after that, all sections will begin with the easiest questions first.
It is certainly possible to go from a 1700 in practice to a 2000 on the real test. This is much better than going from a 2000 in practice to a 1700 on the real test.
Good luck.
December 5th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Help, Help, Help!!! I’m a 7th grader, taking the SAT today I’m freaking out. I only had about 2 weeks to prepare! I don’t know what to do! wish me luck!
December 5th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Good luck, Maya. You really have nothing to worry about. Try your best and I’m sure your parents will be happy.
December 5th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Thanks, Karl! So, I took it…I’m pretty sure I got ok scores…do the 7th graders take a different test then the 11/12th graders? Because apart from some math and vocabulary, the SAT was not as hard as I thought it would be. Clearly, I am overconfident. Usually when this happens, I get bad scores….I’ll post my scores here when I get them, probably. Good luck to all you Duke TIP program students who get freaked out like me!!!
December 7th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Maya,
You took the same test as everyone else. No doubt. Please post a comment when you get your scores.
January 4th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Ok. Ok. Breathe, Maya, Breathe. I did surprisingly well, all things considered.
Grade: 7
Critical Reading: 600 (I scored higher then 79% of last year’s group of college-bound seniors)
Math: 500 (45% higher)
Writing: 570 (74% higher)
Multiple Choice: 59
Essay: 07
Is that good? I’m happy!! except for math…i’m not great at math. that’s ok, though. Hey, how do you find your essay online?
January 18th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Hi, I took the SAT on December 5th for the first time and I got the following scores:
CR: 740 (Nat. %: 98) M:710 (Nat. %:94) W: 710 (Nat. %: 96) (Total: 2160)
I’m a junior and I am seeking admission in MIT or UPenn with an
intended major of Chemical Engineering. I’ve heard that the preferred SAT score for UPenn is at least a 2200.I am aiming for something above a 2300 on the March SAT just
to be safe. I was wondering how much improvement is typical of a student
with a similar score to mine. I wasn’t sick or anything on Dec 5.
On a previous post, you said that the test taking pool of December is usually of a lower caliber than the test taking pool of March so that the curve is more generous. Will that curve
make a significant difference, or is it too insignificant to worry about?
January 18th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Maya,
Great job! I think all of your scores are awesome. You have a very bright future. Your online score report should include access to a scanned version of your essay.
January 18th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Maria,
I wouldn’t think too much about curves. You are clearly a good student and, if you prepare well for the SAT in March, you will break 2200 and perhaps even 2300. You simply need to put yourself in the right study environment. As many times as you can before test day, you should (1) practice under simulated (i.e. timed) conditions, (2) grade your practice section, and (3) immediately launch into a review of the questions you missed. You can do this with friends, a tutor, or an ePrep program. Good luck.
January 22nd, 2010 at 1:45 am
Thanks for the tip on not going to bed too early. tomorrow is my SAT and I WON’T force myself to bed earlier than I need to
THANK YOU!
January 22nd, 2010 at 1:52 am
I’m a little nervy after reading all the other comments… on my practices I average a total of 2220-2380… but can I get that tomorrow???
January 22nd, 2010 at 8:49 am
Mslee,
You can absolutely score within your target range tomorrow. Just make sure you are well rested and eat a good breakfast. Good luck.
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:25 pm
UGH I’m SO SCARED…I have the SAT tomorrow and I’m doing some questions.
How much is the usual subtraction from practice tests? I average
1900-2190 on practice tests, 12 years old. Do you think I’ll get lower than that?
January 22nd, 2010 at 7:34 pm
Thanks for the tips, it will really help. Im doing the Duke TIP
thing. Im in 7th grade and Im taking the SAT tomorrow.
Everyone says its really hard and long. Im kinda scared not
only from the test but I think its gonna be intimidating to
be there with lots of high schoolers, but thanks to you im not
so worried about the test. Everyone said it will be good
experience even if I dont do so good.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:56 pm
I’m taking the SAT tomorrow and am really freaking out…you can get more than two tries on the SAT right? It seems kind of intimidating but after reading the comments here, I’m not the only one that feels that way, I guess that gives me some reassurance.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:41 am
Ray,
I don’t think you’ll score lower than your average range. Good luck. Please let me know how it goes.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:43 am
Samantha,
Good luck. Please let me know how it goes. By the way, I think the high school students taking the SAT will be equally freaked out by having a 7th grader in the testing room with them.
January 23rd, 2010 at 9:44 am
Samira,
Don’t stress too much. You have as many tries as you need. Good luck. Please let me know how it goes.
June 4th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Hi, I am taking the SAT tomorrow morning and am kinda freakin’ out about the essay… I don’t do very well when
it comes to writing at all and was wondering if you guys have any tips whatsoever for the essay section. Whether I have a whole month or just a couple of minutes to write an essay, I don’t do my best because mostly of my lack of knowledge of the topic question. I know once I get through that part though, the rest of the test will be easier, so
that’s why I am asking. What website other than the original would you recommend for the practice problems for the
morning beforehand?
June 6th, 2010 at 8:13 am
Echo,
Sorry I’m getting to your comment only now. There are a few video posts in the “essay” category of this blog site. Please watch the videos sometime before your next SAT. I think they will help. Once you understand how the essay is graded, you’ll realized that specific knowledge on the essay topic is not required. Good luck.