How to Prepare the Morning of Your SAT or ACT

With the April ACT and May SAT coming up soon, it’s important to start thinking of how you’ll prepare more than just studying.  How do you find the right mindset?  Should you eat something specific?  How many hours should you sleep?  Below are some tips to best prepare the morning of your test – and also habits to start now! 

The morning of your test:

Shower, take a 20-minute walk, and listen to some relaxing music. Warm water will wake your body up and get your body moving. Try waking up 90-120 minutes before you put pencil to paper.  This gives your body and brain adequate time to wake up and get your blood flowing for your test.

If you have the time, take a morning shower (even if you’re an evening shower type of person).  The warm water will help to wake your body up and get your blood flowing.  Take a 20-minute walk and listen to some relaxing music.

Make sure to drink plenty of water!  It’s proven to help you perform better on exams, as even mild dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, reduced attentiveness, and weakened concentration.  Please avoid energy drinks!  They’ll only lead to peaks and slumps in your energy.  If you drink coffee or tea daily, drink it – but if you don’t, today’s not the day to start.

Unfortunately, there’s no miracle breakfast food that leads to higher test scores (come on, science!).  However, a balanced diet inclusive of fruit, vegetables, protein, and whole grains do improve overall results.  The best breakfast on test day is comprised of slow-release carbs, like traditional oatmeal or whole-grain bread, as they release energy throughout the time you’re taking your test.  Add some protein like eggs to keep you fuller for longer.  Omega-3 fatty acids like avocado or smoked salmon are believed to be brain-boosting foods –hey, doesn’t hurt to try it, right?

Processed foods and foods made with artificial ingredients and loads of sugar aren’t your friends – so drop the grab-and-go muffin and check out these breakfast ideas for test day:

-       Whole wheat toasted bagel with cream cheese and lox

-       Scrambled eggs and toast with avocado

-       Fruit smoothie

-       Yogurt with banana slices and nuts and seeds

-       Overnight oats with cinnamon, apple pieces, and nuts (great if you’re afraid you’ll oversleep and not have time to cook breakfast!)

If you never eat breakfast or stick with coffee for breakfast, all of a sudden having a filling meal first thing in the morning might not sit well with your body.  I highly recommend getting into healthy habits now so they can serve you better when it’s exam time!

Right before the test:

Stay calm.  Breathe.  The test is here, and you’ve done all you can to prepare.  Throw on that relaxing music from your morning walk, and take some deep breaths outside of the testing center and once you find your seat.

Don’t forget to believe in yourself.  Confidence goes a long way, and you’ve worked SO HARD.  You’ve got this!