or if it does, that you know how to turn off the sound. Otherwise, you risk being
the object of intense hatred by the other test takers.
*Do people even make those anymore?
—Samantha
It’s important to remember the start time! A nice proctor (isn’t that an
oxymoron?) who knows what she’s doing will write the start time on the
blackboard, but because you’ll mostly be staring at the test booklet, write the
start and end times there at the top for easier reference. Or on your hand. But
don’t smudge it on your sweaty forehead. Check the time on your trusty watch
occasionally, with increasing frequency near the end of a section. But don’t freak
out—it’s only to help you pace yourself better.
Done early? Go back and check your answers, duh. Still have time left?
(Wow!) Check them again. Sometimes neuroticism works to your advantage . . .
and you’re stuck in that chair with nothing else to do anyway.
If you’re not a morning person, try to trick your body on
testing day. Go to sleep early on Friday and wake up a
few hours before you take the SAT. Your body will think
that it is two or three hours later than it really is. You’ll
feel like you are taking the SAT at 11:00 instead of at 8:30.STICK IT IN YOUR EAR
At this point in the book, we would like to recommend that you find two
cylindrical objects, rub them back and forth between your fingers, and then
insert them into two of your body’s orifices simultaneously.
The orifices are your ears and the cylindrical objects are foam earplugs.
These little squishy thingies are great. They cost about a dollar a pair at your
local pharmacy—a small price to pay for cutting out most of the distracting
noises in the testing hall. They are comfortable once you get used to them. In
fact, some people we know at college have become addicted to them and can’t
study without them.
When you put in the earplugs, you suddenly hear your own breathing more
intensely and sometimes even your own heartbeat. These are precisely the things
that you are supposed to listen for when trying to meditate. So once you get used
to it, you’ll find yourself concentrating and relaxing with a meditative intensity.