I sit down at my desk, feeling like a soldier gearing up for battle, with my pencil sharpened and my computer charged. It’s become a ritual now – every other Saturday dedicated to everyone’s foe: standardized exams. The big day looms closer, marked by a red circle on my calendar, alongside college deadlines circled in a couple months. It’s a reminder that while the standardized test does not determine my worth, it certainly wields influence over my future.
As I delve into the test, I realize it’s not just an academic challenge but a mental marathon. Hours spent analyzing paragraphs and solving equations, written up so small, I’m forced to squint. Amidst this, I cling to one belief – it’s all about strategy.
My first line of defense? Practice. Purposeful and deliberate practice. The casual, half-hearted attempts won’t make a difference. Progress isn’t a result of mere repetition but of intentional effort. For example, matrices in my case. Every practice test I’ve done, matrices seemed to have been my downfall and I turned to Google for basic information. Once I analyzed my mistakes, my scores soared.
Yet, standardized tests aren’t just about knowledge; they’re about performance under pressure. The constant tick of the clock serves as a reminder that time is still moving. If a question takes more than 30 seconds, it’s skipped and I come back to it at the end. At the end of the day, you’re not penalized for what you don’t know.
Preparation isn’t confined to the exam room. The night before is crucial, a balance of confidence and self-care. A well-rested mind is the most potent weapon. A breakfast provides fuel for battle, and of course, no soldier marches into battle without checking their arsenal (don’t forget your calculator).
Test day arrives, and amidst the nerves, I cling to my superstitions as well. A spoonful of yogurt for breakfast for my quest to succeed. I also never forget a banana; they’re my favorite fruit. Of course, the granola bars are also a must for a snack during testing. I didn’t forget the infamous lucky socks hidden under sweatpants (efficacy is debatable as my pencil rolled under someone’s desk during the reading section).
In the end, standardized exams may seem like the beginning of the end, but it doesn’t dictate who you are. Whether you walk out of the test room relieved or disappointed, know that worth extends far beyond a number. So, armed with preparation and confidence, that’s how I approach standardized tests.