subconsciously, take some long, deep breaths. A pretty useful method is called
“square breathing”: First, exhale all of the bad air out of your lungs. Hold that
for four seconds. Then, slowly inhale all of the air you can for four seconds.
Hold it for four seconds. Then, repeat the sequence. (Four-four-four-four—that’s
why it’s called Square Breathing, get it?) This is a great test-day technique, but
can also be used any time anxiety strikes.
MEDITATE
Concentration meditation is a simple technique that could really help you home
in on what’s important—like the history of celery. To meditate, simply sit in a
relaxed, but upright position and focus your attention on a single object (say, the
tree outside your window, your bedside lamp, or even this wonderful book).
Keep your attention on the object. Increase your awareness of the object. Think
of it as zoning in, not zoning out. Do this for ten minutes twice a day and you’ll
be surprised at what it can do for you.
SEE THE TEST
Another way to reduce your anxiety is to do what is called “positive
visualization.” Each night before you go to bed, make a movie in your mind
about exactly what it will be like to arrive at the test center, show your admission
ticket and ID, sit down, get your answer sheet, listen to the incomprehensible
proctor read the directions, hear the smelly kid in front of you crack his
knuckles. Then visualize yourself being completely relaxed throughout the
whole ordeal. No, you are beyond relaxed—you are totally focused with intense
energy on the test. You’re in the zone. You’re breathing deeply, your palms
aren’t sweaty, and your pulse is slow. If you visualize this scenario numerous
times before the real test, you’ll be amazed at how similar to your visualizations
the real test will be. Of course, you’ll be more nervous than you were in your
imagination, but you won’t feel any need to panic, and that extra bit of nervous
energy might help keep you alert.
Nervous energy isn’t bad. That adrenaline is what helped us escape lions on the savanna thousands of years ago. Use it now to rockthe SAT.
—Samantha
REMEMBER, YOU’RE NOT EXPECTED TO KNOW IT ALL
Another relaxing thing is realizing that you are not supposed to know all the
answers. Sure, an occasional whiz gets a perfect score, but the SAT is not like a
classroom test on which your teacher will be disappointed in you for each
question you get wrong. In fact, you can get tons of questions wrong and still do