Tips For Taking the SAT

 By Kavya Kamath

Are you taking the SAT soon? Have you recently taken it? Well for all those signed up for the SAT on June 5th, this article is for you! Having taken the SAT twice, one with and one without the essay, here are a few test day tips I’d recommend to anyone taking the SAT soon!

Bring snacks and water. 

Admittedly, it's awkward to eat in a silent test room, nor is it even advisable covid-wise to eat given that you’ll be in an enclosed area with more than 100 other people, but sitting for 3 hours fatigues you in a way you wouldn’t expect. And expending a large amount of mental energy on top of that? Once you walk out of that test center, you’ll be famished! That’s where the snack and water come in. Make sure to refuel your brain and body in the car on the way home after that mental marathon you just went through. And if you went to a center far away like I did? That goldfish and water bottle will come in even more handy. Additionally, even though your ticket may say the test starts around 8:00, for both SATs that I did, registering people, handing out tests, and all that other before-test jazz takes an hour or longer. This means that your test may not start until 9 or 9:30, and you won't be done until well past noon (lunchtime!). Thus, bring snacks and water. You won’t regret it. The awkwardness is worth it.

Carry a very distinct bag with you! 

To prevent cheating, the SAT allows students no access to anything other than their pencils, test, calculator, ID, and registration ticket. Thus everything else you brought in whatever bag you brought will have to be put to the side of the room with everyone else’s bags, coats, etc. To ensure that no one accidentally takes your bag (which might have things like your phone, car keys, wallet, etc.), make sure you bring a distinct backpack that no one can accidentally mistake as theirs. Mine was green with ladybugs on it!

Keep your registration ticket and ID in easy-to-access places! 

You’ll need to have both of these on you at all times so test proctors can ensure that it is you and not someone else taking the test for you. You’ll also have to show it every time you leave and enter the testing room, when tests are handed out and collected, etc. Thus, to save time and make the process as easy and swift as possible, always have your ID and registration ticket below your desk, in a back-pocket, or on your desk, and always within sight (if you lose your ID and registration ticket, the test may have to be voided, which would mean you need to take it all over again).

Dress in layers! 

You have no idea how cold or hot your test center will be, if you’re going to sweat from the pressure/intensity, or if your seat will be by an open door (for ventilation), etc. Be aware if you test best being slightly cold, fully warm, or whatever other state of body temperature, and make sure you dress in a way that allows you to adjust to being in that state regardless of your testing room temperature.

Get to the test center early, and do a practice drive there a couple days prior! 

This one’s pretty self-explanatory—you don’t want to get lost (if it’s a school you’ve never been to before) or run any risk of being late. Plus, that’s just added stress that you don’t need.

Charge your phone the night before!

 This is especially necessary if you’re having someone else drop you off and pick you up—you don’t want to be stranded in an unfamiliar place with only 10% battery because not only is it unneeded stress, you don’t want to cause extra worries for yourself when you’re mentally tired.