Essential Exam Day Tips for SAT Success

Scoring high on the SAT is like the first step to seeking admission to the most prestigious university of your choice. Students are often found to be anxious on the SAT exam day, however, if one follows the SAT exam tips, then the SAT exam day becomes easy as students also follow the SAT last day tips. Some of the SAT exam tips for higher scores are already discussed with you and now we shall focus on the SAT exam day tips.

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This Story also Contains

1. Essential Exam Day Tips for SAT Success
2. SAT Reading Section Tips
3. SAT Math Section Tips
4. After the SAT Exam

Essential Exam Day Tips for SAT Success

Students must know the requisites for the SAT exam day so that they are ready and do not lose their confidence in the eleventh hour. SAT exam tips will help students pack for the SAT exam day smartly.

Prepare the Night Before

The night before the SAT exam day is the time to relax and refresh yourself from all the anxieties and worries you have in your mind. We strongly recommend you not practice any concept at the end time as it may lead to confusion and doubts. Just be positive and trust your preparation. Have a good night's sleep and before you do this do not forget the follow and fulfill the following:

Organize Your Test Day Essentials

On the SAT exam day, you need to carry the following documents:

• Fully charged device with Bluebook application installed and exam set up completed.

• Acceptable Photo ID

• Pencil or Pen for the rough work.

• Calculator for the Math section

• User ID and password of the college board.

Review Your Test Center Location and Directions

Check the location, directions properly, and the best way of travel to the destination for a hassle-free experience. Prefer a comfortable mode of transport so that you can reach the destination safely and comfortably on the SAT exam day.

Set Out Your Test-Day Outfit

Do not dress up uncomfortably, see that you are in simple attire, and keep your hands clean, without any ink marks on them. There should be no point of suspiciousness at the entry time.

Plan Your Breakfast and Hydration

As the SAT exam day will have a long duration for the day, including travel time, entry formalities time, and the exam time, plan your breakfast such that you do not feel hungry at the time of the exam. On the SAT exam day, keep your diet rich and take care of yourself. Drink enough water to stay hydrated.

The morning of the Exam

The SAT exam day has finally arrived, get up early with a positive mindset, manifest positivity, and give your best on this SAT exam day.

Wake Up Early and Follow a Routine

Waking up early will give you many benefits, you can have your breakfast on time, get ready, and do a quick SAT last-day check of documents to be carried to the exam centre. Follow the daily fitness regime if you have or at least do a normal breathing exercise to stay away from any sort of anxiety or disturbances.

Eat a Nutritious Breakfast

As mentioned above, have a rich and nutritious diet to give you enough filling and let you be fit for the day. Do not forget to keep yourself hydrated. Follow mindfulness while you have your breakfast and a complete NO to any sort of SAT exam preparation at this time.

Double-Check Your Test Materials

As mentioned above, you have to check all the required test material before you start your journey for the SAT exam day. From your photo identification, pen or pencil, calculator, device, and even the login into the college board web portal. Every aspect has to be ready. Do not forget to carry the charger of your device.

Arriving at the Test Center

Plan your journey in a way that you do not get stuck in traffic or face any other issues, your mode of travel should be very comfortable.

Plan to Arrive Early

On the SAT exam day, you should reach the destination at least half an hour before the scheduled entry time. This will help you stay away from the exam- anxiety and will keep your mind prepared and confident for the SAT exam.

Know What to Bring

The checklist mentioned above is mandatory on the exam day, however, students with certain special provisions of lending a device from the college board or loaning a device from someone must arrive early at the test centre so that they can have the setup done for the SAT exam in their devices.

Remember that you are not allowed to take your mobile phone or any other electronic gadget inside the exam centre, and in case you are caught using the same, You will be dismissed, the SAT score will be cancelled by the exam authorities and even the device can be confiscated.

Understand the Check-In Process

Reach the test centre well on time, we recommend that the day before the SAT exam and on the SAT exam morning, please check the test centre details, as sometimes it might get changed. Plan your travel safely and remember that in case you are late, you will not be allowed for the SAT exam and you will have to register again for the SAT exam.

Login into the centre's wifi, open the Blue Book application and follow the instructions. The proctor will guide you with the start code and the timer.

Stay Calm and Collected

As the check-in process is complete, stay calm and attempt the SAT exam with full focus and concentration, do not get disturbed and distracted by anyone. Recollect all the strategies and implement them in the best way.

Managing Test Anxiety

Managing your emotions before the SAT exam starts and as it starts is easy if you keep yourself calm and trust your preparation. Be confident in what you are doing and give your best.

Practice Deep Breathing Techniques

The deep breathing technique is a famous way of throwing away all the exam anxiety that you have and this will also help in being focused for the SAT exam.

Use Positive Visualization

At this stage of your life, just attract positivity and as mentioned above manifest that you have scored high because of the dedicated SAT preparation you have done.

Develop a Confidence-Boosting Routine

Even at the time of your SAT preparation, always appreciate your efforts when you have achieved high scores or you have even shown the slightest improvement in grasping a difficult concept, this will help you stay motivated and confident that you can score high and be in the desired university.

During the Test

Maintain peace within yourself and start the exam on a positive note, keep your pace on according to the tips and tricks that are discussed to ace the SAT exam day.

Read Instructions Carefully

Stay calm and carefully read the instructions, do not skim but read for the meaning, especially in the SAT math section. Remember that the SAT will assess your knowledge of understanding and applying logic to the statements.

Manage Your Time Effectively

You have well-practised time management skills during the SAT preparation time, it's time to use the same logic: do not give overtime to any question, try attempting the easier ones quickly, and come back to attempt the difficult ones. Remember that you should not panic in case you feel you are not able to attempt a question, it is okay to make an educated guess and move on to the next one.

Stay Focused and Avoid Distractions

You will be able to stay focused if you apply the tips and tricks you have learned in your SAT preparation time, just be cool and give your best. Give logical answers and apply all the methods that you have learned especially in the verbal reading section of the SAT exam.

Use the Process of Elimination

Elimination methods in both English and Math sections play a crucial role, carefully read the choices that you are eliminating to reach the most accurate answer and in case you are getting confused between the two best options, recollect the traps you have learned and try applying to check in the best information.

Strategies for Each Section

The SAT exam day: show up all the strategies you have learned and give your best. In both English and Math modules, apply the strategies for the different types of questions you have practised.

SAT Reading Section Tips

Some of the SAT last-day tips for the reading sections are as follows.

Skim Passages Efficiently

Skimming is the most useful technique if used efficiently, you should skim for meaning, and retain the information to reach an accurate answer. Staying focused while skimming is the key to making the best choice.

Tackle Questions in a Strategic Order

At this stage, you know the kind of questions you are perfect for, try to focus on them initially and then move on to the next ones. Use the elimination method wisely and the traps that you have learned to eliminate different choices.

Writing and Language Section Tips

This section of the English SAT is considered easier than the verbal reading section. However, you are well-versed with the strategies and now is the time to showcase your learning.

Focus on Grammar and Clarity

Students are often seen confused with punctuation marks like colon and semi-colon, give a last-minute read to all rules two days before the exam so that you retain all the rules as fresh in your mind. Focus on the transitional words as they are the ones that change the entire meaning of a passage.

Check for Common Writing Errors

While you attempt the SAT exam, do not panic over the difficult answers, manage time in a way that you can check the answers before submission.

SAT Math Section Tips

The SAT Math section seems to be very logical and full of application questions, the application of formulas and logical senses will help you score high in the exam.

Show Your Work Clearly

Maintain neatness and clarity, especially in the student-produced response answers and also the way you handle your device in eliminating the options. A slight typing error can become a big loss/

Use Your Calculator Wisely

At the time of SAT preparation, you should familiarise yourself very well with the Desmos calculator to help you in the best way in case your calculator fails to operate on the SAT exam day. If you are using a graphic calculator, confirm which ones are allowed in the exam so that you do not worry about the SAT last minute.

Handling Difficult Questions

Every student attempting the SAT aims to attempt the difficult version to score high in the exam. However, you do not have to worry about the same in the initial section. Be smart in giving equal importance to all questions.

Skip and Return if Necessary

In case you feel you are stuck on a question and it is taking too long to reach the right answer or you are not sure of the answer, it's okay to skip the same for the time being and return to it in the leftover last minutes.

Make Educated Guesses

This is one of the most effective tips for the SAT exam, if you feel the question is beyond your reach, so do not get disturbed, just make an educated guess and move on to the next one. If you are lucky, it could be the one that is not going to be assessed.

Keep Track of Time and Adjust Accordingly

Although you have practised time management skills in your preparation time, we suggest that you should have your eyes on the timer after attempting every five questions. This will help you plan further and keep you focused and attentive to the section you are on.

After the SAT Exam

Just relax after attempting the exam. Hard work and smart strategies pay high and so it will to you. Do not worry about the result and relax.

Reflect on Your Test Experience

Reflect on your SAT exam experience and do not hesitate to share it with those who need your help. If you have attempted nicely, your instincts will let you know about it and in case you are not satisfied with your performance, reflect on what went wrong, the concepts, strategies, or time management.

Avoid Discussing Questions Immediately

Give yourself some time before being open about the experience. Self-introspect about the experience and share the relevant information with others.

Relax and Decompress

Keep yourself relaxed and refreshed, be back to your routine, sleep well, and make a note about your entire experience. Forget the anxiety and relax till you get your results.

Post-Exam Actions

After you get your result, it's time for action again. Seek advice from professional counsellors to help you with the admission process.

Plan Your Next Steps Based on Results

Based on your result, check if you can seek admission to the universities you desire to study and also if they are offering you certain scholarships. In case you feel you wish to improve your score, do not hesitate to attempt the exam once again. Stay positive and prepare in silence.

Consider Additional Prep if Needed

In case you are attempting the SAT exam again, then seek help from SAT expert trainers for individual attention and clear all your doubts so that you can excel in the SAT exam.

About the Author:

Pooja Aggarwal

I am an experienced SAT/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS/PTE trainer with over 15 years of expertise in helping students achieve their English language goals. With a degree in Education from Maharishi Dayanand University, I focus on clear, patient, and personalized instruction. My approach has successfully guided students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for both Academic and General Training modules of English language exams in a supportive and engaging environment.