Tips to Get Ready for Test Day

ACT Chalk Talk #12

The way you prepare for your upcoming test date can make all the difference. Here are a few essentials to keep in mind:

Sleep is key for a higher ACT score.

Many students feel like they are in pain by the time they get to the last test section. They are completely exhausted! This can happen to you if you only get five or six hours of sleep each night. To feel completely rested, you should get nine to ten hours of rest each night for a week. This can make a big improvement on your scores. Don’t make the mistake of starting this process too late. If you change your sleeping habits the night before the test, you will probably end up lying there with your eyes closed, unable to go to sleep. Give yourself time to reset your sleep cycle and watch your scores improve.

Eat well the day before and the day of.

For starters, eating well means actually eating breakfast. You want to balance carbs with some protein, such as eggs and bacon or the vegetarian equivalent. Don’t make the mistake of just eating cereal. You’ll crash after a while or get hungry. Likewise, a pancake stack at IHOP might look appealing, but you won’t feel too well going into the reading test.

Bring a healthy snack.

Protein bars and granola bars work great—honey buns, not so much! All of that sugar will help for a few minutes, but you’ll crash and burn long before the science test begins. If you want something sweet, bring peppermints and/or cinnamon bubble gum to complement your snack bar. These sweets, as an added bonus, help wake you up.

Check out these 12 high-protein, easy snack ideas!

Avoid distractions.

Try your best to avoid social media on test day. You don’t want to find out on Facebook that your significant other broke up with you five minutes before you walk into the ACT testing room. It can wait until the test is over. Likewise, if at all possible, avoid situations that might upset you the day before and the day of the test. Aim to put your full attention on the ACT test and earn the highest score you can. By avoiding distractions, you’ll be able to give the test your best shot.

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