Quick Test Tips

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This page is just the basics, the absolutely vital help that you really need to know. Reading this page will give you a little bit of confidence, point you to right answers, and buy you a little extra time for each test segment. But it is no substitute for continued practice and preparation.

1. Examine yourself and look at your academic strengths and weaknesses. If you know you have a weakness in a particular area, make sure you study particularly hard in that area.

2. Don't give yourself unrealistic goals. If you're taking the SAT don't set your dream score as a perfect 800, be content with something somewhere between 500 and 700, which is more attainable.

3. Don't cram the night before the test, it may actually make you do worse if you stay up all night studying and don't get any sleep.

4. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test.

5. Make sure you eat breakfast, your brain is going to need the energy.

6. Relax on the test day, don't do anything before the test that you know will be stressful. For example if your a new driver, try to get a ride to the test.

7. Arrive early at the test center.

8. When the test begins realize that the questions are in difficulty order with the easiest ones at the beginning of the test. Do these first, they will give you a confidence boost. Whatever you do, don't start from the back of the test.

9. Gauge your time, don't spend too much time on a question. If you think you won't be able to figure it out give it your best guess and then write a question mark beside the question in the answer book. That way, if you have time at the end you can come back and take another look.

10. Always guess if you can eliminate two of the answer choices or more.

11. Don't second-guess yourself, your first answer was probably right. Only change your answer if your dead sure it was wrong.

12. If you finish before the test is over take the time and go back and check your answers. Start at the back of the test when your checking your work.