With the spring season, there are many upcoming tests to be prepared for. From the ACT in April to the AP exams in May, there are many things to remember before taking them. Regardless of what tests you are taking, it is important to remember the different steps to take in order to be on top of your game before test day. Here are 7 things to remember before test day:
- Cultivate Good Study Habits
Developing good study habits is one of the first steps you can take to increase your performance. This step can be practiced months in advance before your test through casual actions like submitting your assignments on time or remembering to study for your normal exams. This step takes time to master, so do not feel bad if this is something you cannot master quickly.
2. Don’t Cram
Many students who forget to study for their exams cram through their studying the night before. This makes it more difficult to retain information due to the cognitive overload and the rapid processing of information which can overload the brain. Avoid learning new material the night before and instead simply review your notes instead.
3. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things to do before test day. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, studies have shown that teenagers require 8-10 hours of sleep every night to function properly and have healthy brain growth. Getting enough sleep also helps reduce testing stress and retain information better during testing. Make getting enough sleep a priority before test day.
4. Replace Negative Thoughts with Positive Ones
Instead of focusing on your negative thoughts, make it a habit to replace them with positive ones. Instead of saying “I can’t do this” say, “This will make more sense with practice.” This improves study habits and makes test day less stressful.
5. Stay Calm Under Pressure
Stress can affect your thinking and make you more vulnerable to mistakes. Learning to control your stress will allow you to process information more effectively while also preventing careless mistakes. Allowing yourself to stay calm will give yourself the confidence you need to succeed.
6. Eliminate Obviously Wrong Answers
Getting stuck on a single question can waste time during an exam. If you do not know the correct answer right away, eliminate the ones you know for sure are incorrect. Do this by identifying outlining questions which are answers that do not line up with the question and stick out.
7. Skip and Return Later
If you have eliminated questions you know are incorrect, and you are still having trouble, it is always good to skip harder questions and work on the ones you know first. Mark the question for review and return to it after you have gone through the entire test the first time. Future questions may trigger your memory or leave hints as to what the answers could be. The second time around, you can revisit those marked questions with a fresh focus with plenty of time leftover to answer them.
While these techniques are helpful for the weeks leading up to or the day of test day, they are no substitute for actual studying. The goal of testing isn’t to just receive the best score, but to also gain confidence and cognitive skills needed to thrive in school and beyond.
