Erin's Pep Talk: Last session before the standardized test

With the November SAT coming up, I wanted to share something with you - it's the advice I give to my ACT/SAT/GRE/MCAT students, but I think maybe someone else needs to hear it today.

After so many years (more than 3 with my current employer, and a few before that) in test prep, I have my advice the day before the test honed. I go through what to do the night before, what they will eat for breakfast, to do a math problem and read a short passage. But more than that, here is what I tell them:

You are more than what happens on test day.

The score that you get is a reflection of how the test went, but it isn't a reflection of your inherent value, intelligence, or future. It's one day, one indicator. You can re-test. (You are also more than your GPA, the number on the scale, your hourly wage, or any individual number.) The test will not tell the world if you are kind, funny, brave, generous, artistic, strong, etc. It will tell them how you did on this one test.

You can do well, so don't let anxiety overwhelm you.

You know how to solve problems. You know how to solve a lot of problems a lot of different ways. If you can't see an approach or strategy right away, try a different question, come back later, and see if you can find a way to solve it. That may be to chunk it, or to eliminate wrong answers, or to paraphrase, or many other strategies. You know how to do this; your goal is to show that in your score.

Practice self-care, before, during, and after the test.

Breathe. Your brain needs oxygen to work. Stretch. If your muscles are tired or there's blood pooling in your feet, it isn't circulating to give you energy. Eat well so that you're nourished. If you're getting frustrated, take a few seconds to pull your shoulders back, tilt your chin up, and inhale all the way to the bottom of your lungs. You're worth it, and your score will show it.