5 essential exam-day hacks for top performance

Test day tips: How to prepare for exam morning, manage anxiety, and stay focused

Preparing for a big exam isn’t just about what you studied: it’s also about how you show up on test day. From getting to the test center on time to managing nerves and staying mentally sharp, your exam-day routine can protect your score and boost your confidence.

This guide breaks down practical, research-backed test day tips to help you feel calm, focused, and ready to perform at your best, whether you’re taking the SAT, ACT, or another important exam.

Key insights

• Understanding test center logistics is a key part of exam readiness.
• Test anxiety can become an asset when managed with the right techniques.
• Optimal performance combines quality sleep, steady routines, and mental warm-ups.
• Attention to routines, personal comfort, hydration, and sustained focus builds a solid foundation for exam success.
• Embracing imperfection encourages growth, reflection, and adaptability, all crucial for lasting achievement.

Test center familiarity and logistics

One of the most overlooked parts of test prep is learning the details of your test center. When you know what to expect, you reduce last-minute stress and save your mental energy for the exam itself.

If possible, visit your test center before exam day. Practice the route at the same time your exam starts so you can estimate traffic, transit delays, parking availability, and how long check-in might take. Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes early to avoid rushing.

It also helps to learn the basics of the building and testing process, including:

• Where to enter and check in
• Where restrooms and water fountains are located
• What the waiting area looks like
• What security procedures you’ll need to follow

Test centers can have different rules about bags, phones, snacks, and ID requirements. Reviewing these details ahead of time can prevent a stressful surprise at the door.

Finally, plan for physical comfort. Long exams require sustained focus, and small discomforts can become distractions. Dress in layers for unpredictable temperatures, and consider how long you’ll be sitting without a full break.

Exam day checklist (what to bring and what to do)

Use this checklist to make test morning feel simple and automatic. Packing ahead of time helps you avoid decision fatigue and reduces stress.

What to pack the night before

• Valid photo ID (and admission ticket if required)
• Approved calculator + extra batteries (if needed)
• Pencils/pens (based on test rules)
• Water bottle (if allowed)
• Snack for breaks (if allowed)
• Comfortable layers (hoodie/light jacket)
• Anything required for check-in (confirmation email, testing app login, etc.)

What to do before leaving

• Eat a steady breakfast (avoid trying new foods)
• Hydrate normally (don’t overdo it right before the exam)
• Leave early enough to arrive 30-45 minutes ahead
• Use a quick breathing reset if you feel anxious

Managing test anxiety (and using it to your advantage)

Feeling nervous before a major test is normal. In many cases, it’s a sign that you care, and that your brain is preparing to focus. The goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety completely. The goal is to manage it so it works for you, not against you.

A manageable amount of anxiety can actually improve performance by keeping you alert and attentive. One of the most effective mindset shifts is to reframe nerves as readiness. Some research suggests that students who reinterpret anxiety as excitement perform better because they stay engaged instead of overwhelmed.

A simple technique to calm your body fast

When anxiety starts to spike, your breathing can bring you back to center. Slow, deep breathing helps activate your body’s calming response and prevents your mind from spiraling.

Try this before the exam starts or during a stressful moment:

1. Inhale slowly through your nose
2. Exhale slowly and fully
3. Repeat for 3-5 cycles

Practicing this technique in the days leading up to the exam makes it easier to use under pressure.

Remember: You’re not the only one

Nearly everyone feels nervous before an important exam. Anxiety doesn’t mean you’re unprepared: it means you’re facing something that matters. Being compassionate toward yourself can reduce pressure and help you stay persistent when the test gets challenging.

How to prepare the week before the exam

The best test day routines aren’t created the morning of the exam, they’re built in the week leading up to it. These habits help your brain and body feel familiar with the schedule and reduce the “shock” of test day.

Align your sleep schedule

Start adjusting your sleep and wake time at least 5-7 days ahead of the exam. If your test begins early in the morning, begin shifting bedtime earlier so your body naturally feels alert when the test starts.

Sleep supports attention, memory, and emotional regulation (three things you need during a long exam!).

Practice your test-day routine

A consistent routine helps reduce stress because your brain knows what’s coming. In the week before your exam, practice a “test morning” at least once or twice:

• Wake up at the same time
• Eat the same type of breakfast
• Leave the house around the same time
• Do a short mental warm-up

The more familiar your routine feels, the calmer test day will be.

What to do the morning of the exam

Test morning is about staying steady, not doing anything extreme. Avoid last-minute cramming, skipping breakfast, or making major changes to your normal habits.

Eat for steady energy

Choose a breakfast that keeps your energy stable. For many students, a combination of protein + carbs works well (for example: eggs and toast, yogurt and granola, or oatmeal with fruit).

Avoid trying new foods on test day. Stick to what your body already tolerates well.

Hydrate wisely

Hydration supports mental clarity, but drinking too much right before the test can create unnecessary discomfort.

Aim for normal, consistent water intake that morning and stop guzzling water right before check-in.

Warm up your mind gently

Spend 10-15 minutes on a light mental activity to activate focus without draining energy:

• Skim a short set of notes or formulas
• Do a few easy practice questions
• Read something simple
• Try a quick puzzle or warm-up problem

This helps your brain shift into “work mode” smoothly.

In-test strategies to stay focused and avoid panic

Even with great preparation, tough questions happen. What matters most is how you respond when something feels difficult.

Keep your cognitive flow going

If you get stuck on a question, don’t let it steal your momentum. A strong test-taking strategy is:

• Move on quickly
• Mark the question
• Return later if time allows

Protecting your confidence and pacing is often more effective than fighting one question for too long.

What to do if you blank on a question

If your mind goes empty, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s usually a stress response. Try this reset:

1. Put your pencil down for 3 seconds
2. Take one slow breath in and out
3. Re-read the question slowly from the top
4. Start with what you do know

Small resets can prevent spirals and help you regain control.

What to do if you slept poorly

A bad night of sleep can feel scary, but it doesn’t automatically ruin your score. If you didn’t sleep well:

• Eat something light and steady
• Hydrate normally
• Focus on pacing and process
• Avoid catastrophic thinking (“I’m doomed”)

You can still perform well with imperfect sleep, especially if you stay calm and consistent.

Letting go of perfection for maximum success

Excellence is a great goal. Perfection is a trap.

Perfectionism often increases anxiety, makes mistakes feel catastrophic, and makes it harder to recover during the test. Instead, aim for a mindset focused on progress, resilience, and adaptability.

Students with a growth mindset, those who believe they can improve through effort and practice, tend to handle challenges more effectively. That matters on test day, when unexpected issues can happen: a noisy room, a hard section, or a moment of doubt.

To build adaptability before test day:

• Take timed practice tests
• Simulate real test conditions
• Practice recovering after mistakes instead of panicking

Remember: you don’t need a perfect score to succeed. You need a strong process, steady focus, and the ability to keep going.

Achieving success through holistic preparation

Strong scores come from more than academic knowledge. When you plan your test center logistics, manage anxiety effectively, and support your body with sleep and routine, you give yourself the best chance to perform at your highest level.

Use these test day tips to build a routine that feels calm, familiar, and reliable so you can walk into your exam focused, confident, and ready to show what you know.

Next step: Choose three strategies from this article and practice them during your next timed practice test. The goal is to make test day feel like something you’ve already done successfully.