Last Minute Test Anxiety

The SAT can be stressful.  Follow these quick tips to help you combat test-anxiety:

1. Know what to expect.  Review the All About the SAT lesson so you are familiar with the design of the test and each question type.  Being familiar with the test will help you feel more confident.
2. The goal is not 100%. Tying to answer ever question on the SAT can hurt your score.  Focus on correctly answering ever question you attempt, rather than on answering every question.  You'll be less hurried, make fewer careless mistakes, and be less likely to fall for attractors.
3. Be ready for hurdles.  Inevitably, there will be questions on the SAT you that you have difficulty answering.  When this happens, say to yourself, "I knew there would be some questions I wouldn't know and here's one of them," and then move on.  Don't beat yourself up or dwell on what you don't know.  Keep going.
4. Keep focused.  Don't rethink questions you've answered or worry about the questions to come.  Instead, focus all of your attention on the question in front of you and do your best to answer it correctly.
5. Each section is a new start.  Between each section, as you put down your pencil, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and clear your mind.  Don't waste brain space thinking about the section.  Clear you mind and focus on the next section.