With the beginning, or for some, the end, of standardized test season, I want to offer some advice to people new to the process who may be overwhelmed. However, this is not your typical “get a good night of sleep and eat a hearty breakfast” advice. This is a collection of detailed recounts of superstitious preparation routines from various students who are currently in or finished with the standardized testing process, and, of course, a guide to what you “should” be doing from an Upper School Dean.
I consider my routine extremely unconventional and do not recommend it to others, but it works for me. The night before I take a standardized test, I eat pasta for dinner. I don’t do any homework, I just relax and watch a show, usually something with intelligent people in it. I go to bed at 1 AM because when I get more sleep, I’m more tired in the morning. The next morning, I wake up at 7 AM and get dressed, putting on my lucky Patagonia fleece. I fill up my water bottle and ensure my ID and testing ticket are in my pencil case; then my mom and I leave at 7:15 AM. On our way to the testing center, we stop at the 7th Avenue and 9th Street Starbucks, and I pick up my Venti Iced Chai and butter croissant. Once we arrive at the school, I grab all my stuff and enter the building, ready to lock in for the test.
A fellow junior, Lena Shamos, has a similar routine, but much more standard. The night before the test, she similarly eats a nice bowl of pasta for dinner. For dessert, she has a Cinnabon “because that’s [her] lucky food.” She gets in bed early and falls asleep while listening to her favorite music. She sets her alarm to wake her up with the same tunes for a joyful start to her day. She then gets dressed in her lucky Patagonia fleece and a pair of slippers so she is comfortable. Then, she and her mom drive to the testing site while listening to Taylor Swift the whole way there. At the same time, Lena reviews some minor math and English topics to prepare for the test. Once she enters the room, she pictures herself getting the email with the score she has been working for and carries that energy throughout the test.
Senior Nina Harris follows a routine that closely resembles that of the standard. The night before, she usually tries to have a “chill” night. She doesn’t do homework or any last-minute studying to reduce her stress. When she took her ACT, she would pack her bag the night before with everything necessary to take the test: pencils, calculator, and snacks. The morning of, she has a “good-sized” breakfast so she doesn’t get too hungry during the test, which would cause her to lose focus.
The Dean Team, as expected, recommends a very customary routine. Beginning with the night prior to a test, they advise that you avoid caffeine and sugar after midnight, but realistically, no one is doing that (sorry!). They then suggest putting your testing ticket, ID, calculator, and writing implements in your bag the night before so that you are prepared for the morning. While getting ready for bed, they advise staying off screens one hour before sleeping. They say that on the morning of the test, you should wake up early and eat a healthy breakfast to keep you fueled for the long hours of testing ahead, and then get to the test center early to avoid unexpected traffic and feeling rushed. Finally, they explain that you should “steer clear of any students who seem to have nervous energy!” You wouldn’t want that to impede your confidence going into the test.
Many different combinations of these routines can all lead to success, so ultimately, do what works for you. Good luck!
