Almost without exception, the most demanding part of preparing for your SAT is behind you by Test Day. What’s left is just a matter of going out to execute that which you have revised and practised for. But it’s not over till it’s over and you sure don’t want to trip at the last hurdle. In SAT context, that would be Test Day mishaps.
Test Day mishaps are generally preventable. Those who got “owned” mostly have only themselves to blame. Ignorance or complacency, it hurts just the same. The best guard against that is to list out all contingencies and attend to them accordingly. For starters, you should have the following items ready in your test-kit comfortably beforehand:
Required
- – Admission Ticket. This is required for entry.
- – Photo ID. Make sure it’s acceptable per the Registration Guide.
- – 2B Pencils. You should have at least 2.
- – Eraser. Soft type works best with 2B marking.
Optional
- – Calculator. It should be an approved type with fresh batteries.
- – Spares such as pencils, sharpener, eraser, calculator, batteries….
Personal
- – Watch/clock. Watch out for beeping or other noise lest they be removed.
- – Reading glasses. Can’t answer the questions if you can’t read them.
Aside from physical gears, there are also preventive measures to take:
Getting there
- – Familiarise the location, traffic, weather …. Can’t take the test if you’re not there.
- – Arrive early. The more you’re late, the more you’ll miss.
Answer sheet booboo
- – Be super careful. Right answer but erroneous entry equals wrong answer!
Test Day mishaps can come from all angles, even those that do not impact the SAT itself.
For instance, wallets have been known to go missing because they are to be left outside of the test hall. The oversights raised above are by no means exhaustive but you get an idea of the potential SAT pitfalls down the stretch. In any case, it’s always a good policy to have your eyes open to things that may go wrong. That goes for anything at all, not just the SAT.
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