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My scores on the 10 Real SATs tend to range from 740 to 800 on the Verbal section, and 580 to 610 on the Mathematical section. This is okay, since I'm applying to LACs that aren't too competitive about standardized test results to begin with, let alone math scores.

So I wake up at 7:00 today and mess around for an hour or so, trying to get a feel for what it will be like tomorrow. I had a bit of a hard time waking up, since most of the time I rise between 11AM and 2PM. I'll get used to it though, no doubt.

Much to my dismay, my 10RSAT scores for November 1995 were 660V and 510M. What?

I theorize that my low scores are a combination of the below factors:

a) 5 hours of actual sleep, preceded by 1 hour of tossing and turning with anxiety over Saturday.

b) Relatively low amounts of theobromine/caffeine in my daily routine, since we're out of tea (and coffee doesn't go that well without a cup of tea beside it, at least in my opinion). I was probably getting around ~128mg of caffeine + ~108mg theobromine from a strong coffee and a large, strong glass of tea. I had a weaker coffee at probably ~96mg this morning.

c) Didn't take a multivitamin, and didn't eat tuna fish (both of these items are part of my test-taking routine).

d) Wake-sleep cycle of 11:00-13:30 to 0:00-2:00, as compared to the SAT I's starting time of 8:30.

e) Previously unrecognized stress and anxiety over the test, and the reality is just hitting me now.

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I know worrying probably makes it worse. But I can't stop. Has this happened to you guys before? Think it'll happen tomorrow?

-A

By Elleneast (Elleneast) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 09:56 am: Edit

Go outside. Get some exercise. It will help to clear your head.

By Ra2000a (Ra2000a) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 10:35 am: Edit

im stressing out like crazy, i took the day off to study and im freaking out

By Ohio_Mom (Ohio_Mom) on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am: Edit

Beside clearing your head, exercise will help you sleep better tonight. My son's experience with the 10 R's showed a 100 point difference depending on whether he was alert or not. His actual score in June was 10 points higher than any of the practices. His SAT breakfast includes lox and bagel, OJ and a banana (for electrolytes). He also takes a 15 minute walk before the test.

Getting your body set for the test will help. A lot of kids have posted on focusing on the test - you might look up some of these posts. Everyone deals with stress - the point is, you do have control over how you deal with it! Best of luck tomorrow!