Getting ready for the SAT isn’t necessarily about knowing the difference between the meaning of indignant and indigent, or the formulas at the beginning of the SAT Math section. It’s about getting in the zone so you can focus for four plus hours, making sure not to fall for the numerous traps you’ll see test day.
But how do you get in the mindset?
Well, one obvious answer is doing SAT practice problems. But in answering a bunch of questions you can often hit a wall. Or just get bored. Staying in the zone combines a few other strategies.
1. Confidence
Self-doubt is a no-no, unless you can turn it into something positive (I don’t know any of these vocab words…I’m going to learn them). On the day of the test, though, you won’t be able to suddenly inhale Webster’s Dictionary. So give yourself the benefit of the doubt and trust, at a general level, that you will do well. That doesn’t mean getting cocky at the question level. Know that the questions are subtle and the answer choices even more so. But know also, that with focus, you can do as well as you are capable of.
2. Stress-levels
Don’t stress. Seriously. When your body releases cortisol and you’re in flight or fight mode, it’s tough to concentrate on SAT stuff. You’ll make errors you wouldn’t otherwise, overlooking key words that will help you solve a question. If you feel the knot in your stomach or sense your brow furrowing (or whatever it is your body does to let you know that it’s going into stress mode), take a few deep breaths. This SAT lifehacks infographic breaks down exactly how you’ll want to breathe.
3. But don’t get too Zen
Studies have shown that being totally stressed out or totally mellow will negatively affect your performace. Optimal functioning happens when you take that little bit of nervous energy (oh my, it’s SAT test time!) and channel it purposefully. When you feel yourself getting too stressed, breathe and think confident thoughts (I got this!). But if you feel yourself getting too mellow—like when your mind wanders during a reading passage—put yourself into gear (“I’m going to destroy this passage!).
4. You are what you eat
Believe it or not, what you eat the very day of the test can have a major effect on your score (the SAT lifehacks infographic also colorfully—and mean that both literally and figuratively—breaks it down). Abstaining from binge eating the night before the test is also a good idea, because if you want to be in the best mindset test day, you’ll want to be well rested.
Takeaway
Much of your performance test day is about being in the right mindset. Don’t leave your mental state to chance, since there are many things you can do to make sure you are on top of your game come Saturday at 9 a.m.
This post was written by Chris Lele, resident SAT expert at Magoosh, a leader in SAT Prep. For more SAT resources, check out Magoosh SAT vocabulary flashcards and the Magoosh SAT Blog!
