The Countdown Begins: Your Two-Week Plan for Test Day Success

Test season is upon us, and whether you're taking the SAT or the ACT, being in the right headspace ahead of test day is critical for your best result. Of course, you've been preparing for months with your Cram Crew Consultants. But in the final stretch, you're in control of setting yourself up for success. If you're unsure exactly how to prepare, you're in the right place. We tapped two of our Cram Crew Consultants for their tips on making sure you feel your best before walking into the test room.

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Two Weeks Out

The two-week mark is critical. You're far enough out for a bit more studying while also being close enough that a calm, focused mindset is imperative. In order to do a bit of both, it's important that you plan your time wisely.

14 days out, we recommend taking a final mock exam, even if it may feel overwhelming. "There is an added pressure from the real exam coming up," Anh Nguyen, Math Test Prep Consultant and Mock Exam Coordinator, says. Taking the mock exam two weeks out offers an opportunity to get into a similar mindset that you would have on the day itself: "It's important to have a good level of focus," Nguyen adds.

After you take the mock exam, you'll schedule a session to review the results with your Consultant(s). This is where the crucial work happens: "You'll review any incorrect answers, discuss how to answer certain questions better, and figure out what direction to go in from their current level of testing knowledge," Nguyen explains. During the session, it's important not to let emotions get the best of you; instead, focus on the information in front of you.

Once you've parsed through your results with your Consultant(s), you'll want to spend the next few days reviewing the feedback and doing your best to implement it into your test day strategy. "Your Cram Manual is your go-to resource—packed with the content and practice you've already worked through—so revisit it to reinforce key concepts," Adriel Morado, Former Verbal Test Prep Consultant, says. "If something isn't sticking, try teaching it to someone else. If you can teach it, you can master it on test day."

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One Week Out

When you hit the one-week mark, you may be feeling lots of emotions: anxious for the big day to come, overwhelmed by the feedback you received the week prior, excited for the celebrations after the test. With all of these feelings swirling, it's important that you stay grounded. "Treat the week like an athlete preparing for a big game," Morado says. "Keep review light and focused, prioritize good sleep, and avoid last-minute cramming. The goal is to stay sharp, calm, and confident going into test day."

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Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Sleep 

It's likely you've heard about the importance of sleep before; in these final days, it truly matters. Research from Harvard Medical School's Division of Sleep Medicine shows that reduced sleep can significantly impair your ability to consolidate recently formed memories. In other words, poor sleep doesn't just make it harder to take in new information—it also makes it harder to retain what you've already learned. Without adequate rest, the feedback from your mock exam review may not stick the way you need it to. Sleep could be the difference between staying stagnant and improving your score.

The Day Of

As you wake up on test day, "trust your preparation and remember that you've put in the work!" Morado says.

To ease morning stress, pack the following the night before:

• SAT or ACT Approved Calculator 
• Pencils 
• An Eraser
• Admission Ticket
• Photo ID
• Laptop (if taking SAT)
• Drinks
• Snacks (mixed nuts and berries are great options for memory and focus, per Northwestern Medicine)

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During the test, do your best to stay focused and trust the work you've done with your Consultants—you've prepared for this day. If you're feeling stuck, Nguyen recommends "writing out the steps while you're working through each problem." Most importantly, stay calm. A clear mind is your greatest asset for whatever comes your way.