The Final Countdown

QUICK TIPS FOR THE DAYS JUST BEFORE THE EXAM

The best    test    takers  do  less    and less    as  the test    approaches. Taper   off your    study   schedule

and take    it  easy    on  yourself.   You want    to  be  relaxed and ready   on  the day of  the test.   Give

yourself    time    off,    especially  the evening before  the exam.   By  then,   if  you’ve  studied well,

everything  you need    to  know    is  firmly  stored  in  your    memory  banks.

Positive    self-talk   can be  extremely   liberating  and invigorating,   especially  as  the test    looms

closer. Tell    yourself    things  such    as  “I  choose  to  take    this    test,”  rather  than    “I  have    to”;    “I  will

do  well,”  rather  than    “I  hope    things  go  well”;  “I  can,”   rather  than    “I  cannot.”    Be  aware   of

negative,   self-defeating  thoughts    and images  and immediately counter any you become

aware   of. Replace them    with    affirming   statements  that    encourage   your    self-esteem and

confidence. Create  and practice    visualizations  that    build   on  your    positive    statements.

Get your    act together    sooner  rather  than    later.  Have    everything  (including  choice  of

clothing)   laid    out days    in  advance.    Most    important,  know    where   the test    will    be  held    and the

easiest,    quickest    way to  get there.  You will    gain    great   peace   of  mind    if  you know    that    all the

little  details—gas in  the car,    directions, etc.—are    firmly  in  your    control before  the day of  the

test.

Experience  the test    site    a   few days    in  advance.    This    is  very    helpful if  you are especially

anxious.    If  at  all possible,   find    out what    room    your    part    of  the alphabet    is  assigned    to  and try

to  sit there   (by yourself)   for a   while.  Better  yet,    bring   some    practice    material    and do  at  least   a

section or  two,    if  not an  entire  practice    test,   in  that    room.   In  this    situation,  familiarity

doesn’t breed   contempt;   it  generates   comfort and confidence.

Forego  any practice    on  the day before  the test.   It’s    in  your    best    interest    to  marshal your

physical    and psychological   resources   for 24  hours   or  so. Even    race    horses  are kept    in  the

paddock and treated like    royalty the day before  a   race.   Keep    the upcoming    test    out of  your

consciousness;  go  to  a   movie,  take    a   pleasant    hike,   or  just    relax.  Don’t   eat junk    food    or  tons

of  sugar.  And—of  course—get  plenty  of  rest    the night   before. Just    don’t   go  to  bed too early.

It’s    hard    to  fall    asleep  earlier than    you’re  used    to, and you don’t   want    to  lie there   thinking

about   the test.