Tips for students taking advanced placement tests next month
May is advanced placement test time for high school juniors and seniors, and the pressure is on. A culmination of difficult classes taken throughout the year, the exams offer college-bound students the opportunity to earn college credit for good scores. So how can test-takers stay cool under pressure and excel on the tests like they have in the classroom all year? Jennifer Paidosh, director of Plymouth’s Chyten Tutoring and Test Prep, offers these tips:
The week of the test:
- If you’re taking a math test, be sure to get extra batteries and take them along on test day.
- Check in with your teacher to ask any lingering questions.
The night before the test:
- No cramming! You've been working all year long. Use the last night to relax and mentally prepare.
- If you’re anxious about the test, write down your top concerns, then throw them away to get them out of your mind!
- Get a good night’s rest!
The morning of the test:
- Your mind is a muscle and needs to be fed. Eat a healthy protein breakfast two hours before you start the test. It takes two hours for the food to break down and get to the brain.
- Dress for the test. Present yourself in a positive way! Dress well, test well. Tests are very psychological!
- Arrive early and be calm.
During the test:
- Use your time wisely.
- If you're feeling nervous, STOP and take a deep breath.
- If you’re unsure about a question, eliminate answers first, then make your choice.
