Chariot Learning
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Curriculum
    • Areas Chariot Learning Serves
  • Services
    • SAT & ACT Prep
    • Academic Coaching
    • Subject Tutoring
    • Strategic Reading Club
    • Proctored Practice Tests
    • GRE Prep
    • Roots2Words
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
February 3, 2017 by Mike Bergin

Positive Self Talk on Test Day

“If you think you can or can’t, you are right.”

Henry Ford may not have actually uttered the quote attributed to him, but he certainly exemplified the enduring impact of a can-do attitude. Norman Vincent Peale, legendary proponent of The Power of Positive Thinking, also shared similar insights along with countless others who have made the connection between thoughts and deeds.

Observing the influence what we tell ourselves has on our performance always matters, but never more than when the stakes are high. At that moment, too many succumb to debilitating fears (“What will happen if I fail?”) doubts (“I don’t think I can do this,”), and self-loathing (“I’m not good enough to succeed and never will be.”) And these bitter prophecies fulfill themselves, initiating new cycles of negativity and missed opportunities.

Break the chain of negative self-talk in two simple steps:

1. Identify any self-defeating or negative thoughts that enter your mind.
2. Challenge negative self talk with rational, positive statements.

For example, a teen sitting for the ACT may tell himself that he is going to bomb the math section for some irrational negative reason. However, if he notices the self-sabotage, he can rewrite the script by acknowledging some facts:

I know all the math on the test.
I generally score well on math tests.
I’ve prepared very well.
I have taken many practice tests and have scored better every time.

Positive affirmations like these serve to remind us of the steps we’ve taken to succeed and why we can trust that process. Obviously, you’ll have a lot more rational, positive support for your success on test day if you prepare properly, so don’t forget that critical part of your approach!

attitude performance positivity test day

Previous articleDoes Vocabulary Matter Anymore on the SAT & ACT?Next article Don't Call It a Comeback
Mike Bergin
Tens of thousands of students a year prep for the SAT & ACT through programs Mike Bergin created or organized. After more than 25 years of intensive experience in the education industry, he's done it all as a teacher, tutor, director, curriculum developer, blogger, podcaster, and best-selling author. Mike founded Chariot Learning in 2009 to deliver on the promise of what truly transformative individualized education can and should be.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Helping high schoolers with tests, school, and life is what Chariot Learning is all about. Let us know how we can help you!

Latest Posts

  • Burning Questions About Testing and Admissions for the HS Class of 2022
  • Curiosity and Persistence Matter
  • Questions for First Time Test Takers
  • Exercise in Repeatedly Recalling a Thing
  • How Tests Open Doors
  • Tough tests open doors: https://chariotlearning.com/how-tests-open-doors/
    by chariotlearning 3 hours ago
    Tough tests open doors: https://chariotlearning.com/how-tests-open-doors/
  • Don
    by chariotlearning 2 days ago
    Don't just talk about it...
  • Are you a masterpiece or a work in progress? Why not both? ;)
    by chariotlearning 4 days ago
    Are you a masterpiece or a work in progress? Why not both? ;)
  • Nothing worth having comes easy.
    by chariotlearning 6 days ago
    Nothing worth having comes easy.
  • Challenges are what makes life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Challenges are what makes life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.
  • If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice.
  • Just start.
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Just start.
  • Don
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Don't stop until you're proud!
  • You were born to be awesome!
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    You were born to be awesome!
  • Resilience is based on compassion for ourselves as well as others.
    by chariotlearning 4 weeks ago
    Resilience is based on compassion for ourselves as well as others.

Subscribe to Mike’s Podcast

Subscribe to Tests and the Rest

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTER

College Road is your source for expert educational advice, test news, college admissions action steps, special offers, and more. Sign up now!

Upcoming Events

  1. Free Practice Online SAT (2/28/21)

    February 28 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  2. Free Practice Online SAT (3/6/21)

    March 6 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  3. Free Practice Online SAT (3/7/21)

    March 7 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  4. Free Practice Online ACT (3/13/21)

    March 13 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  5. ACT Intensive Class for the April 2021 Exam (Online)

    March 15 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

View All Events

Testimonials

Working with Chariot Learning was the best preparation choice we could have made. Robert's test scores increased by nearly 50 percentile points. Plus he learned reading and writing skills that he was able to apply immediately in school. Thanks so much!

Bob & Sarah, Brighton parents

Read more testimonials...
© 2020 Chariot Learning, LLC. All rights reserved.