Flashcards and Study Guides… CHECK
Graphing Calculator… CHECK
#2 pencils… CHECK

Whether you’re taking the AP Test, Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), or the Virginia Standard of Learning test (SOL), the month of May is hands down the quarter with the most tests.

Besides telling you to get a good night’s rest and when in doubt choose answer choice C, really good test taking tips are hard to come by for students. Here are the best tips for standardized testing:

1.BRING FOOD, WATER, GUM, ETC.!! Who knows how long you will be in that testing room. Trying to take a test while you are hungry is the hardest thing to do. Bring something to nibble on so food is the last thing on your mind while you are trying to achieve a perfect score. Snacks will give you an extra boost of energy that testing takes from your system. Food is brain power.

2. Wear comfortable clothes! The worst thing during a big test is constantly focusing on what you are wearing or being uncomfortable. Wear something that is flexible, and won’t get in the way of your concentration.

3. We all hate those questions that are pretty much all for nothing on your chances of getting the answer correct. In "All of the above" and "None of the above" choices, if you are certain one of the statements is true, don't choose "None of the above" or if one of the statements is false don't choose "All of the above". Process of elimination is easy with these questions, for if you see a question with an "All of the above" choice and at least two correct statements, then "All of the above" is probably the correct answer.

4. Don’t forget a watch! Pretty much every standardized test doesn’t allow cell phones, iPods, or any other handheld device. The only way to know the time is to bring your own watch. Don’t bet on your room having a clock. A watch is fool-proof way of knowing the time you have left, without breaking any rules.


5.Take advantage of any and all bathroom breaks. If the water you’re bringing doesn’t make you pee in your pants, the nervousness will. Bathroom breaks allow you to walk around, and clear your mind before the next half of any test. By giving yourself a break, you can come back with a new confidence. Remember after a bathroom break the test is almost over, so hold on until the end!