| any student can be well versed in what to expect | | | | leading up to the SAT test date: |
| on the SAT, the morning of the test is a stressful | | | | 1) Get plenty of sleep. The SAT is long, |
| experience for most test takers. Students who | | | | exhausting test, and it can be difficult to be alert |
| have thought about the morning of the test and | | | | and ready to go at 8:30 in the morning. Make sure |
| have everything prepared in advance experience | | | | that you get to bed at a reasonable hour the |
| less anxiety and feel more comfortable taking the | | | | night before the test, and aim for at least eight |
| SAT. Here's what to expect on test day: | | | | hours of sleep that night. For students who are |
| The morning of the test, you will need to bring | | | | used to getting up early for school, following a |
| your registration information along with an official | | | | normal "school night" routine the night before the |
| form of photo identification (acceptable forms of | | | | SAT can be a practical approach. |
| ID can be found on the College Board website) to | | | | 2) Don't cram. If there are specific topics you'd |
| the test center you signed up for. Lines often | | | | like to review in the few days before the SAT, |
| form, so try to arrive a few minutes early. The | | | | that's fine, but don't overdo it. You need to be |
| administrators will assign you to a specific room, | | | | fresh and rested by Saturday morning, so get |
| where that room's proctor will seat you. Before | | | | any studying out of the way earlier in the week |
| the test begins, the proctor will explain the | | | | so you can take it easy on Thursday and Friday |
| directions to the test, distribute the test, and | | | | before the test. |
| ensure that students have pencils (you should | | | | 3) Eat well. The night before, eat a big dinner that |
| bring at least three #2 pencils with erasers). | | | | includes lots of carbohydrates. You'll need plenty |
| Proctors may also check calculators to ensure | | | | of brain fuel the next day, and a good dinner on |
| that they comply with College Board regulations, | | | | Friday helps get you ready to go on Saturday |
| so check on the SAT website to ensure that | | | | morning. Eating breakfast the morning of the test |
| yours is allowed. Once the proctor has completed | | | | is also crucial, even for students who don't |
| these steps, he/she will have you fill out your | | | | normally eat breakfast. The SAT doesn't conclude |
| personal information on the answer sheet before | | | | until early in the afternoon, so students who do |
| beginning the actual test. | | | | not eat that morning will probably be very hungry |
| During the SAT, the first section will always be | | | | towards the end of the test. |
| the 25 minute essay. Sections two through seven | | | | 4) Plan ahead. Lay out the materials you'll need on |
| are all 25 minutes each, and will include a random | | | | Saturday morning before you go to bed on Friday |
| assortment of Critical Reading, Math, and Writing | | | | night. You'll need three pencils with erasers, an |
| sections. Sections eight and nine will be Critical | | | | approved calculator with fresh batteries, your test |
| Reading and Math, lasting 20 minutes apiece, while | | | | registration, and photo ID. Print out directions to |
| section ten is always a 10 minute Writing section. | | | | the test center as well if you're not sure how to |
| The specific order of the test sections varies | | | | get there. |
| from test to test, so the order is not predictable. | | | | 5) Turn off your cell phone. Proctors do not |
| You will receive a short break roughly halfway | | | | tolerate students checking phones or distracting |
| through the test, but otherwise you should | | | | other test takers, so double check that your |
| expect to work continuously until the test has | | | | phone is off before beginning the test. |
| been completed. Be sure that you don't do | | | | 6) Pay attention to the time. Wearing a watch |
| anything during the test that could be considered | | | | (that doesn't beep or make noise) is a good idea |
| cheating; you may not talk to other students, | | | | during the test so that you can keep track of the |
| look at other resources, or check your cell phone. | | | | time and make sure your pace is appropriate. You |
| When the test is over, the proctor will collect | | | | can also ask the proctor how much time is |
| your materials and dismiss you. | | | | remaining if you're not sure. |
| Here are a few additional tips to keep in mind | | | | |