How to Ace the SAT: Last-Minute SAT Advice and Best Tips

When it comes to acing the SAT, a positive mindset can be just as important as your study routine. As the saying goes, “If you think you can, you can.” This principle is backed by research, especially when it comes to test-taking. If you’re feeling anxious and telling yourself, “I’m not going to do well,” that self-doubt can negatively impact your performance. To help you manage anxiety and boost your confidence, here are some of the best SAT tips to follow, especially as the test day approaches.

1. Visualize Success to Boost Confidence

One of the most powerful last-minute SAT advice tips is to mentally prepare yourself by envisioning success. According to Dr. Driscoll, teaching yourself to think positively about the test can make a significant difference. Imagine yourself in a challenging yet exhilarating situation—whether it’s scoring a goal in soccer or reaching the top of a mountain. Then, transfer that feeling of accomplishment and confidence to the SAT testing room. With practice, this mental exercise can help you feel more confident and focused when it’s time to take the test.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Test Environment

Reducing stress on the day of the exam is crucial for avoiding last-minute jitters. Sian Beilock, a researcher on cognitive performance, suggests that unfamiliar settings can increase anxiety and hinder your performance. If possible, visit the test center beforehand to familiarize yourself with the environment. Knowing exactly where you’ll be taking the test can help you feel more at ease, allowing you to focus solely on the questions at hand.

3. Write Down Your Worries Before the Test

Another effective strategy for how to ace the SAT is to clear your mind of any anxieties right before the test begins. Dr. Beilock recommends setting aside 10 minutes to write down your worries before you start the exam. In a study with ninth-graders, students who engaged in this writing exercise performed just as well as their less anxious peers. On the other hand, anxious students who didn’t write down their thoughts performed worse. By expressing your concerns in writing, you can free up mental space, allowing you to concentrate fully on the SAT.

4. Prioritize a Full Night’s Rest

One of the best SAT tips that cannot be overstated is the importance of getting a full night’s sleep before the test. Many students, especially teens, are used to staying up late and may not realize how much this habit can affect their performance. A well-rested mind is more alert, focused, and capable of tackling challenging questions. Make sure to go to bed early the night before the SAT to give your brain the rest it needs to perform at its best.

5. Fuel Your Brain with the Right Breakfast

What you eat on the morning of the SAT can also influence your performance. A nutrient-rich breakfast, particularly one that includes oatmeal, can give you the sustained energy needed for the test. Oatmeal is known to provide a slow release of energy, helping to keep you focused and alert throughout the exam. This breakfast tip is one I’ve followed for years, even making oatmeal for my children during their elementary school testing periods, and the benefits have been consistently proven.

Salisbury, Indian Mountain, and Hotchkiss integrate world-class athletics and academic rigor

In Day 2 of my western Connecticut prep school campus visits, I’m admittedly overwhelmed by the diversity of program offerings in this region. Connecticut is not a big state but is dense with prep schools. Today I visited Salisbury School, Indian Mountain School, and The Hotchkiss School.

SALISBURY SCHOOL

Salisbury serves 300 male students from around the world. The science center included a wonderful library, a physics lab, a chemistry lab, and a separate biology lab. My tour guide expressed that he wasn’t too keen on attending an all-boys school but realized that girls would be a distraction. Besides that, the school hosts dance each week so he’s still able to intermingle with girls socially.

The first stop on my tour was the boathouse, which is a sight to behold. It’s big, clean, and houses all the boats rowed by their world-class rowing program. An administrator proudly stated that “We grow rowers!” highlighting that many young men join the team with little to no experience. However, many advances to D1 level crew teams. The other athletic facilities were just as impressive . . . squash courts, hockey rink, lacrosse fields. Not to mention that their football team is strong in its division.

Salisbury understands boys, how to teach, how to engage, and how to nurture them both academically and socially.

INDIAN MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

There are 85 guitarists among the 180 students in the upper school. 140 musicians overall!There are 85 guitarists among the 180 students in the upper school. 140 musicians overall!
There are 85 guitarists among the 180 students in the upper school. 140 musicians overall!

Indian Mountain School is a junior boarding school that I was excited to visit in person. In my prior conversations with administrators, I sensed that it was a special place for students to develop into their own. The lower school has students in grades PK-4, while the upper school ushers students in grades 5-9 through early adolescence. Students will typically board in grades 7th, 8th, and 9th. For the teachers, administrators, and other staff, this really is a life commitment/decision. The responsibility is even greater in supporting these youth.

The team of adults who work there, live on campus, coach, and organize activities provide all the support services imaginable. The support services are balanced with student leadership opportunities. Students are given just as many opportunities to take risks. Each class experiences an outdoor adventure that bonds them in unforgettable ways. The overall thrust of the community was character development.

An administrator shared a quote in his office, which speaks to the character and quality of Indian Mountain School: “In all things, a lesson.”

THE HOTCHKISS SCHOOL

The flags adorning the Hotchkiss dining hall showcase the 69 countries represented on campus.
The flags adorning the Hotchkiss dining hall showcase the 69 countries represented on campus.

Hotchkiss is a school that you have to see to believe. Admittedly, I was overwhelmed by its campus size, facilities, and student involvement. A surprise day-off was announced prior to my arrival, so, as you can imagine, the students were happy and taking advantage of the many opportunities to order food, leave campus, or play games on the field.

The students I met were involved in so many activities – athletics, theatre, community service, as well as AP coursework. There are about 500+ students at Hotchkiss but its size rivaled most small colleges I’ve visited. An administrator described it as a “small school within a large school.”

From the science center to the fine arts offerings to the radio station to the Olympic-sized swimming pools to the school-owned farm, students have unlimited opportunities to explore and discover their interests. The academic rigor at Hotchkiss is well-known so students must learn fairly quickly how to balance their coursework with all these other enticing offerings.