After preparing for weeks, it's test time. Make your test day successful by applying these simple tips. This is the most important final step of your test prep!
1. Bring What You Need to Take the Test
Make sure that you know what you need to bring to the testing center. Remember to bring suitable identification, several No. 2 pencils, a registration number or test code, a calculator with fresh batteries, and anything else listed in the test booklet. If allowed, bring water, gum, or a snack to revive yourself during breaks. 2. Bring a Watch
Timing is everything in standardized tests. Be sure to bring a watch to keep track of the time and pace yourself. Read the directions thoroughly before beginning each section. Read each possible response before choosing one. If you can, skip over harder questions rather than dwelling on them, but circle them so that you can return to answer them later. Rack up points by answering the easier questions first. 3. Read All Directions
Even if you've obsessed over the details of your test's format, spend the first few seconds of any section on skimming the directions. It will calm your nerves before you begin, and will help you remember the strategies you learned for this particular section. 4. Remember That the Answer is In Front of You
Most standardized tests are partially or wholly multiple-choice. That means that the right answer is in front of you, and you just need to find it. Don't try to mentally answer questions without looking at all of the possible answers first. 5. Eliminate Wrong Answers
When you attempt to answer a multiple-choice question, start by crossing out the wrong answers first. This process of elimination will help you narrow down the best responses. 6. Scribble All Over Your Test Booklet
Don't take tests passively. Draw and scribble as you progress through the test to keep yourself actively involved in finding answers. Use the margins and blank spaces in your test booklet to think questions through, and draw diagrams to visualize word problems. Cross out wrong answers and circle difficult questions so that you can easily find them when you return to answer them later. 7. Skip Over Harder Problems (If Possible)
If you feel stumped by a question as soon as you see it, skip over it if you can and circle it so that you can return after answering easier questions. By doing this, you will avoid wasting many precious minutes on one hard problem when you could answer several easier questions in the same amount of time instead. Use this strategy to rack up the maximum amount of points.8. Make Intelligent Guesses
If you've eliminated a few wrong answers, it's usually beneficial to make an intelligent guess rather than leave a question blank. The benefits of intelligent guessing vary on different tests, but don't be afraid to guess if you've narrowed the possibilities down to two or three options. 9. Ignore the People Around You
To be sure, you can't avoid hearing scribbles and sniffles during your test. But you certainly can avoid the tendency to wonder about the test takers around you. Don't waste time noticing how fast they're turning the pages, and don't intimidate yourself by thinking about how clever some of them are. Answer questions at your own pace, actively engaging them and steadily progressing, and forget the people around you. 10. Review Your Work if You Finish Early
Make use of any extra time by checking your answer sheet for mistakes, re-reading difficult questions, and editing and expanding essay responses. The last few minutes can make a big difference in your score if you've left a few questions blank - go back and try to answer them.
