I’m sure there are a number of things you’d rather be doing than taking a standardized test – getting your neck-skin caught in a zipper, dropping a brick on your foot, getting all of your molars pulled. You know – things that sound way more fun than sitting at a computer monitor staring at the analytical section of the GRE.
In case you decide to forego major bodily damage in favor of scratching out a few answers to multiple-choice questions, read these general test-taking tips before you head to the testing facility.
1. Prepare
You’ll feel much better if you know what you’re up against. Take a class, hire a tutor, buy the book, go online. Prep before you go, so you’re not riddled with anxiety about what’s coming.
2. Know the Procedures
Memorize the test directions beforehand, because direction-reading time counts against your testing time.
3. Eat Protein
You may feel nauseous before a test, but studies prove that eating protein before completing a brain-draining task like test-taking can improve your score. A good choice? Try a turkey and cheese omelet.
4. Wear Cozy Clothes
Test day is not the time to squeeze into your super-skinny jeans. If you’re uncomfortable, your brain will expend precious energy bothering you to fix the problem. Go with your favorite broken-in jeans or sweats in case the air is cranking.
5. Exercise
Speedy legs = speedy brain. Research shows that exercise can improve the performance of the brain by boosting memory and processing speed. Cool, huh?
6. Practice Yoga
It’s not just for granola-lovers. Yoga greatly helps your body de-stress, and high levels of stress can negatively affect your test performance. So, kick off your shoes, take a deep breath, and swan-dive into the downward dog.
7. Create Your Environment
At the testing site, select a seat away from the door and near the back of the room (fewer interruptions). Avoid the air conditioning vent, pencil sharpener, and the coughers. Bring a bottle of water to avoid having to get up if you’re thirsty.
8. Start Easy
If you’re taking a pencil-and-paper test, answer all the easy questions first, and leave the longer reading sections until last. You’ll gain confidence and extra points.
9. Paraphrase
If you’re don’t understand a tough question, try rephrasing it or reordering the words to help it make sense.
10. Cover the Answers
On a multiple-choice test, answer the question in your head with the choices covered. Once you’ve made a guess, uncover the answers and see if you can find a paraphrase of what you just thought.
