Some SAT Dos and Don'ts

Some SAT Dos and Don'ts

Juniors, this post is for you.


The March SAT approaches quickly, and for many juniors this is the first real SAT you’re taking.
While I’ve spoken about tests before:
SAT and ACT are NOT the same
Goal Score MYTH

You don't have to submit all of your scores
Test Ritual


Let’s talk a bit more about what you should do to prepare:
DO: Relax the night before.

Don’t go out to a movie with friends, don’t go to a party, don’t stay on Tumblr all night, don’t stay up past 11PM. Go to bed early (maybe cut off any sugar and caffeine so you night owls can actually fall asleep) after a quiet night at home. It will help keep your energy up the next day.
DON’T: Skip school the day before to “study.”

Maybe this was just my high school, but a lot of people would skip that Friday to stay home and “study” for the SAT. Don’t do that. Being in school will help keep you in an academic mode, and also will keep you from worrying about what you missed.

DO: Practice every day that week.

Take at least 2 (or more) fully timed practice tests the week of your SAT. The timing (and stamina) can have a huge impact on your score, so make sure you’re used to it. If you always run out of time on the math section, you’re only going to improve your speed by practicing. When you’re not doing a full test, do practice questions or skill reviews on the sections you’re poor on. Also go over your vocab every day.

DON’T: Cheat on your practices/scores

If you get a few questions wrong that when you see the answer you think, “Oh man I knew that one, lets count it right.” That is the kiss of death for goal scores. If you do that you’re going to overshoot on your goal score, and be disappointed if you don’t reach it. This also will limit your capacity to learn because you won’t teach yourself the right answers to the questions.

DO: Eat breakfast before the test.

Even if you’re not a big breakfast eater, the SAT is a LONG test. You’re going to get hungry, no matter how nervous you are. Make sure to eat something to keep you running at full capacity. If you like caffeinated drinks, have some.

DON’T: Take any food risks

Have you ever heard that urban legend about the student who vomited on their SAT/ACT/AP and they had to wrap up the test and send it in, even covered in sick? Don’t take that chance. Don’t be that kid. Starting 24 hours before the test eat things that sit easy on your stomach. Nerves are going to be running high, don’t take a risk with something that could make you sick.


DO: Keep calm

I broke out into hives the first time I took the SAT. DON’T BE ME. The proctor almost made me cancel my score and go home because she was so worried for me. Take deep breaths, be confident, and know that if this one doesn’t work out you can sit for it again. This is not the end of the world.

DON’T: Go in unprepared

Have extra pencils. Have extra pens. Have gum erasers. Have a watch or a timer (in case the clock is wrong/you can’t see the clock). Have your cell phone turned off. Have water. Have a snack. Have a photo ID. Have your calculator. Have EXTRA BATTERIES (my brother’s calculator died during his PSAT). Make sure everything is covered and there’s no possibility of you forgetting something (so you should pack it up the night before).
And one nice little fun fact:
You can spell your name wrong on the SAT without being penalized. Don’t do it on purpose. But just in case you’re terrible at the bubbles for filling in your info, don’t worry.