It’s pretty common to be nervous about test day.  And, you’re certainly not alone if you hate taking tests.

The best thing you can do is start preparing early, because the better prepared you are, the fewer things you’ll have to worry about when it’s time to actually take the test.  The first step involves preparing yourself mentally and physically for your standardized test.

Plan and Organize

Most people worry about tests because they’re concerned they won’t be ready.  Reviewing material and studying is necessary for even standardized tests.  Reviewing the basics of the subjects that will be on the test is recommended.

• There are certain things you’ll need to know about the test. If your teacher doesn’t let you know during class, ask about the subjects the test will cover, whether the test will include essay questions or be restricted to multiple choice questions, and how much time you’ll be given to finish the test.
• Once you know these basics, you can organize your time to help yourself review important material efficiently. Don’t try to cram everything into your head the night before the test. Break up the material into smaller, more manageable sections, and study a section every evening. Your mind will retain the information better, and you’ll be more relaxed on test day.
• In addition to your time, organize your study area. Some people like studying in quiet, while others prefer background noise. Plan where and when you’ll study, and stick with that plan.
• Verify the test’s time and location. Put everything you’ll need, including pencils and a calculator, into your backpack before the day of the test. That way you won’t be rushing around the morning of the test looking for those items, and you’ll know exactly where to go for the test.

The night before the test isn’t the right time to hang out with your buddies. Instead, spend some time relaxing and start preparing yourself mentally for the test. That evening, stop thinking about the test. Instead, read a good book or watch an entertaining movie on TV.   Eat a dinner that’s high in protein, because that will help you have more energy and be more alert. And finally, get a good night’s sleep.

On Test Day

Once the day of the test arrives, get up early and enjoy a good breakfast. The breakfast you eat is important, because you won’t have as much energy if you eat the wrong type of foods. Emphasize proteins, like eggs, cheese (including cottage cheese) and peanut butter.

Avoid eating too many carbohydrates, and stay away from foods with a lot of sugar. In addition to drinking plenty of water after you wake up, bring some bottles of water with you to the test so you can drink some during breaks or even during the test itself.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing and make sure your shoes are comfortable, because if your feet hurt your entire body will hurt. Arrive at the test’s location early, and visualize opening the test booklet and knowing all the answers for a few minutes. Take some deep breaths and shake out your whole body to relax any tense muscles.

If you’re properly prepared and well-rested, and you know the test material, you’ll do just fine on the test. Stay confident and loose, and do the best job you can.

About the author:

Steven C. Brown is helping students prepare for nursing school. Different schools use different kinds of tests to select their students. The TEAS test is often required and more information about this exam can be found on his website www.teastest.org