Even However Colleges While test-optional is becoming more common, many students still prefer to take the exam. ACT/SAT In the hopes of increasing their chances for admission. And These high-stakes exams can cause anxiety so it is important that test-takers keep any negative feelings under control.
The These eight strategies will help you to overcome stress during and before the exam.
- Ensure All your materials are available.
- Do Get in some exercise
- Eat a filling, familiar breakfast.
- Look Restart at the beginning.
- Connect With a friend who is encouraging.
- Squeeze something.
- Control Your breathing.
- Put The test in perspective
Table of Contents
Before The Test
Ensure That All Your Materials Are Ready
At Minimum one day before you ACT Or SAT, double-check that all your materials – your calculator, identification and pencils, for example – are ready to go. It’s This step should be taken quickly to avoid having to purchase batteries for your calculator, pencils, or any other items.
It It would be shameful to discover too late that you have missed something important to pass the exam. Give yourself plenty of time to accommodate for any unforeseen circumstances.
Do A Little Physical Exercise
Countless Research has shown that exercise is an effective way to reduce stress. Harvard University Medical School In Massachusetts Exercise is declared “has a unique capacity to exhilarate and relax, to provide stimulation and calm, to counter depression and dissipate stress.” The Mayo Clinic In Minnesota Recites that exercise decreases the “negative effects of stress” While Simulating the positive effects Increased alertness
The Morning of your test, you can do 20 minutes yoga, go for a quick bike ride, or just walk around the block. Whatever You should not attempt a difficult or new activity that could cause you to feel tired and sore.
Eat A Filling, Familiar Breakfast
You You’ve likely heard breakfast is the most important meal in the day. The Department Of Health And Human Services In Victoria, Australia explains what many research studies had already shown: Breakfast Refilling glucose in the blood can increase energy levels and concentration.
The However, it is important to not eat too little or too often that you become unsatisfied during exams. AlsoIt is important to eat breakfast foods your body can accept. In In other words, you should avoid eating new foods that can upset your stomach.
FinallyTake only enough fluids for breakfast to keep you hydrated. That You can save time by not having to wait in long lines for official breaks.
Look Back At Your Starting Point
Study There was no material on the test day or night before. Looking You may feel panicked if you are faced with unfamiliar or difficult material. This can affect your score.
Instead Instead of dwelling on your shortcomings, take some time to look back at the achievements you have made. Compare The first few Practice. Add scores to your most recent ones, and you can feel proud about your progress. Doing This will increase your confidence and can result in a higher score on the test.
Connect With An Encouraging Friend
Everyone Friendships can enrich our lives. But Did you know there were tangible health benefits to keeping close friends?
An article published in the Developmental Psychology The journal concluded “having a best friend present during an experience significantly buffered the effect of the negativity of the experience on cortisol and global self-worth.” In In other words: Having a best friend can make difficult times more bearable.
For Consider reaching out to a friend in your same situation before you take the ACT or SAT. Encourage You can exchange motivational quotes or jokes to brighten your mood. You You can make plans after the test to ensure that both of you have something to look forward too.
During The Test
Squeeze Something
Did You know Many beloved orators have something in their hands when they speak. Even Many professionals feel anxious, so they choose to relieve their anxiety in subtle and inconspicuous ways.
You If permitted by test proctors, you can do the exact same thing by pressing a stress ball or eraser, paperclip, or glob of putty into your mouth before and during exams. “The benefit of squeezing is that it releases some kind of energy. It also induces you to relax,” ” Dr. David PosenAuthor, stress expert, motivational speaker, and author.
Control Your Breathing
Close Take a deep inhale through the nose, and then close your eyes. Hold Keep your breath going for four to five seconds. ThenContinue to exhale evenly and fully, repeating the process multiple times.
Deep breathing may seem too simplistic or cliché to be useful, but it is a proven technique for relaxing the muscles and energizing the brain. “Those things that happen when you are stressed, such as increased heart rate, fast breathing, and high blood pressure, all decrease as you breathe deeply to relax,” According to the ahref=”https://www.usnews.com/best-hospitals/area/mi/university-of-michigan-hospitals-and-health-centers-6440110″>University Of Michigan Hospitals— Michigan Medicine.
Best This technique takes just a few seconds, so you can use this technique right before the test starts or during difficult sections.
Put The Test In Perspective
InarguablyThe SAT and ACT are both important exams. If Earn a stellar score Either way, your chances of being admitted to many colleges are higher. You If you do exceptionally well, you may be eligible for a scholarship or entry to an honors programme.
HoweverYour ACT score or SAT score are not the end of your high school experience. College Admission officers state that it isn’t the most important aspect of a college application. Even if you have a great score, it won’t erase four years worth of poor grades. grades.
Therefore, you must remember that although standardized test scores do carry their weight on applications for many colleges, other factors – GPA, student demographics, extracurricular ActivitiesPersonal Essays, recommendation Letters, etc. – are strongly considered, too.
If If you feel anxious while taking the ACT or SAT test, look at the bigger picture. Unless You will be able the end of senior year in late fall. Take the test again. AlsoKnow that the two are interrelated College Board – which administers the SAT – and the ACT now superscore, allowing you to submit your highest scores across the different sections from any test sitting.
The The bottom line: There There’s no reason to be sick.
At Stress is a natural part of life, especially for major exams. While a little stress can be motivating, too much stress can cause you to lose your ability to perform at your best. Use These techniques will help you stay in the right mindset.
