Tips For Test Day: What To Do 24 Hours Before Your Exam

As exam day approaches, stress starts rising exponentially. You start biting your fingernails, cannot get a good night's sleep, and lose confidence going into the test.

Fortunately, it is entirely possible to overcome this stress, and in this guide we'll break down what to do the day before and the morning of the exam to optimize your chances of success.

The Day Before the Exam

On the day before the Digital SAT, it's important to strike a balance between preparation and relaxation. Follow these steps to ensure you're in the best possible state for the exam:

• Limit your studying to a moderate amount - around 2-3 hours at most. Focus on reviewing key concepts and reinforcing what you already know - do not overload your brain with a bunch of new information.

  Do not do more than one full-length practice test - we've seen many students overstudy the night before only to be burnt out on exam day.

• Eat healthy, non-fatty foods to fuel your body and mind. Avoid heavy meals that could make you feel sluggish on test day. We recommend a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables, lean protein and complex carbohydrates such as brown rice.

  Do not skip meals or do anything outside of your regular eating routine either. The last thing you want to deal with during the exam is the distraction of sudden hunger or digestive issues.

• Engage in physical activity to tire yourself out by bedtime. A light workout or exercise can help you relax and sleep better - especially if you're the type to get anxious before a big event.

  Try to do physical activities earlier during the day - exercising too late can negatively disrupt your sleep.

• Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. Keep stress at bay and promote a calm mind. Follow a guided meditation video on Youtube if needed.

• Prepare for a good night's sleep. Establish a pre-sleep routine that helps you unwind and get sufficient rest. Watch a movie in the evening to take your mind off things if necessary, but stay away from addictive content such as Instagram/Tiktok videos.

The Morning of the Exam

As test day dawns, these steps will help you stay focused and confident:

• Start your day with a light, nutritious breakfast. Avoid heavy, greasy foods like bacon or hash browns to prevent feeling sluggish during the exam. Our favorite test day breakfast items are yogurt with granola and a spoonful of honey.

  If you normally skip breakfast, don't force yourself to eat either - just keep your routine.

• Double-check your equipment. Check your calculators (yes, we recommend using your own calculator over DESMOS on the digital SAT), and check your device and internet connection.

  Experiencing technical issues in the middle of the exam is extremely stressful, so ensure everything is in working order before the test begins.

• Don't be late. Even though the SAT is now digital, you must still take them at designated locations, and every year we hear stories of students arriving tragically late.

  Wake up early and leave plenty of time for yourself to get ready for the exam. This includes budgeting extra commute time if you live far from the exam site and time to find the registration desk if you are unfimiliar with the exam site.

• Maintain a positive attitude. Have faith in your preparation and your skills. Visualize success before the exam begins and take a few deep breaths if needed.

Follow these guidelines and you'll be well-prepared to tackle the Digital SAT with confidence and achieve the results you've worked so hard for. Remember, the key is to strike a balance between preparation and self-care to ensure you're in the best shape possible on exam day.