Chariot Learning
  • About
    • FAQ
    • Our Curriculum
    • Areas Chariot Learning Serves
  • Services
    • SAT & ACT Prep
    • SAT/ACT TestFlip
    • Academic Coaching
    • Subject Tutoring
    • Strategic Reading Club
    • Proctored Practice Tests
    • GRE Prep
    • College Essay Coaching
    • Roots2Words
  • Calendar
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Contact
March 2, 2021 by Patty Camloh

Put On Your Test Day Armor

You’re studying for the BIG TEST: brushing up on grammar rules and math formulas, taking practice tests. But you’ve heard horror stories of test-day breakdowns, and you fear it will happen to you once you sign in and enter that big classroom. How do you prepare for the unexpected? Put on your armor, and all will be well!

HELMET: The right mindset.
We are not born with the right test-day mindset. In fact, big-stakes tests naturally lead to a heavy dollop of performance anxiety for many students.

Don’t wait until test day to start tackling the nerves. Instead, face your test day anxiety ahead of time by practicing healthy stress reduction techniques. Attend our seminar on Overcoming Test Anxiety to learn how to tackle the demons on the mind and going into battle armed with a calm, clear, and positive mindset.

In a recent Tests and the Rest Online Summit for test prep tutors, Bara Sapir of City Test Prep offered a phrase which captures the ultimate test day mindset: “Everything I’ve learned and done has brought me to this moment in time, and I will SHOW UP.”

BREASTPLATE: Anticipate body problems.
In those three hours of the test, a minor physical symptom can become a major sword in the chest; it can kill your hopes for your best score. You’ll want to come prepared to guard against any and all possible physical distractions:

— Dress in layers. A slight variation in temperature has been shown to affect scores.

— Bring tissues for sniffles and your own personal first aid kit.

— unwrapped gum or mints can boost focus quickly.

— a robust breakfast and some high-power snacks are essential to keep you energized.

SWORD: If necessary, go on the offensive.
Become an expert on testing protocol. KNOW MORE THAN THE PROCTOR about how the test must run. If inaccurate timing, proctor chatter, or a faulty desk or chair threaten to derail your efforts, speak up immediately. Go on the offensive! Be your own advocate. At that moment in time, no one else can fight for you, and afterwards is too late to do anything but have your test cancelled.

SABOTON: Practice endurance.
An armored shoe, or  saboton, was the first article of clothing put on for battle. A four-hour test is like a marathon run. Don’t let test day be your first attempt! Instead, take proctored practice tests whenever you can.  Chariot Learning offers full-length, official ACT and SAT practice tests, free for anyone. Get help with a thorough test review in a group or one-on-one.

Other ways you can prepare to go the distance:

  • WEAR A WATCH with no alarms to gain a sense of control over your three hour marathon.
  • Get a good sleep TWO NIGHTS BEFORE the test. Even with pre-test jitters one night before, you can still bank enough sleep to find your stride.
  • CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULE the night before, and even after, your test. Plan a day of rest and a special reward for crossing the finish line.

Chariot Learning offers you our best wishes for test day! Let us know how these suggestions helped you.

performance test day

Previous articleBurning Questions About Testing and Admissions for the HS Class of 2022Next article Proven Principles of Perfect Practice
Patty Camloh(https://chariotlearning.com)
Patty Camloh, our lead Syracuse-area tutor, uses her background in engineering and education to help students achieve their best results. She has worn many career hats, including environmental engineer, high school teacher, and counselor. Patty also has experience as a specialist in high school to college transitioning for a college consulting firm .

Leave a 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

  • How to Read Percentiles
  • Do SAT & ACT Subscores Matter?
  • Evaluating College ROI
  • What to Read This Summer
  • Best of Luck to June Test Takers!

What is TestFlip?

Learn about the ultimate in self-directed supplemental SAT/ACT prep, powered by Chariot Learning:

  • Set goals that are *almost* out of reach.
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Set goals that are *almost* out of reach.
  • You have no idea what you can "survive" until you have no choice!
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    You have no idea what you can "survive" until you have no choice!
  • Being intelligent is not a felony but may get you in trouble anyway ;)
    by chariotlearning 1 week ago
    Being intelligent is not a felony but may get you in trouble anyway ;)
  • When someone says you can
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    When someone says you can't do it, do it twice and take pictures!
  • Life is about
    by chariotlearning 2 weeks ago
    Life is about 'not knowing' and then doing something anyway. Get good at it!
  • Do not waste time thinking about what you could have done differently. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and
    by chariotlearning 2 days ago
    Do not waste time thinking about what you could have done differently. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and
  • Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. Here
    by chariotlearning 3 weeks ago
    Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. Here's to your success!
  • Be patient when becoming someone you haven
    by chariotlearning 6 days ago
    Be patient when becoming someone you haven't been before.

Subscribe to Mike’s Podcast

Subscribe to Tests and the Rest

PARENT GROUP AND NEWSLETTER

Are you an Upstate New York parent with questions about college admissions, testing, and scholarships? The Upstate NY College Conversations Facebook group is for you. Join today!

And also sign up for College Road, our free email newsletter delivering expert educational advice, test news, admissions action steps, special offers, and more.

Upcoming Events

  1. SAT/ACT Extended Class – Summer Mornings 2022

    July 6 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  2. SAT/ACT Online Flipped Class – July 2022

    July 6 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  3. Practice SAT – Brighton (7/8/22)

    July 8 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  4. Practice ACT – Pittsford Library (7/12/22)

    July 12 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  5. SAT/ACT Extended Class – Summer Evenings 2022

    July 12 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

View All Events

Testimonials

We highly recommend... We considered classroom instruction given by national programs, but having one-on-one instruction, on our schedule, in our home, with the focus on areas and skills critical to our daughter’s success was important to us. Teaming up with Chariot Learning was definitely the right decision for our daughter and my family.

Eileen, Rochester mom

Read more testimonials...
© 2022 Chariot Learning, LLC. All rights reserved.