<p>Hi everyone!
I need help to conquer an issue that I always face while taking a full length SAT test. When I do the eight sections slowly one by one and in order of :MATH MATH MATH, READING READING READING, and ESSAY WRITING WRITING, I acquire a score of over 1900. But when I rush, I become very panicked and I can't seem to concentrate on what I'm solving. One more thing.....halfway through the test, my legs get achy, my head hurts, I become anxious, and I tend to shake my feet constantly. Please help me. What can I do to get rid of these weird, for the lack of a better term, "acts."</p>
<p>Focus, discipline and practice. I remember the first time I took the new SAT. After completing section 6 I was ready to pass out. I couldn’t believe there were still four more sections to go. It really took a lot of practice and mental discipline to adjust to such a long test. The SAT is actually longer than the GRE. So be patient with yourself. Everyone has a “I can’t do this anymore” panic moment. It is a normal response to an awful test. You have to be mentally tough and push thru your moment of doubt. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>Yaziinyz, </p>
<p>You’re not testing in the order that the test is actually administered, which may be impeding your ability to stay focused. You should try to make sure to start with the essay, as that is the section that comes first. It might even help you; writing the essay always gets my adrenaline pumping. Next, pick one section, and then alternate between sections until the end–don’t do math, math, math or cr, cr, cr. This variation might help you maintain focus better. Maybe–maybe not. Sorry, I hope this helps a bit!</p>
<p>^True. Alternating section’s kind actually helps to keep focused and is the way the test is administered and, therefore, the way you should take practice tests.
Another important thing thing is that you actually have 5-minutes breaks after the sections 2,4 and 6, which may help you to relax a bit and recover energy to continue the ‘endless’ test, hehe.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I just practiced with a Kaplan 12 Sat mock test. Well…I got 1780. 
I hate Kaplan 12…it’s sooo different from the CB Blue Book. I usually get 740+ in the writing section, but in the Kaplan one, I only acquired a 620. Why? People say it’s easier, but I find it…hmmm…“not well constructed.” Is it only ME? Or is everyone colliding with the same issue?</p>
<p>All that matters is that your doing well on actual CB tests, so if you can get above 740 in BB it doesn’t matter if you get a 620 Kaplan.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot. I’m working on “training” my brain to stay focused for the complete duration of the exam.</p>
<p>I agree with Brownford. You should take tests in alternating sections. </p>
<p>As to why your leg get achy and your head hurts, it could be due to anxiety. I’m not a doctor so I can only tell you to not panick. It is natural to feel anxious and panick as I’m sure everyone experiences this to some degree. However, you have to be able to control it.</p>
<p>I know that’s not much of help, but sometimes it’s really all in the mind. Try to claim down and focus. Tell yourself that you’re not doing yourself any favours by panicking. Relax and just do your best.</p>
<p>utilize your break times efficiently. I never had this problem, but one peer in my room went in the hallway each brake and did a quick set of pushups/jumping jacks to wipe off some anxiety.</p>
<p>Really? Push ups? That’ll look crazy. How about a walk around the school for 5 mins?</p>
<p>Yeah, I totally lose focus when I try to do practice tests at home- and alternating sections didn’t help much. One thing did though- FOOD! It really helps if you use your breaks to fill up on brain food (nuts and raisins are my fav), and it totally helped me concentrate loads! </p>
<p>In the real exam though, I was too nervous to eat anything. But my brain was probably used to it already- it felt like I was high on adrenaline or something, and I zoomed through everything with time to check and ponder over the difficult ones. </p>
<p>Maybe the food thing’s just me though. Give it a try?</p>
<p>Hmm…great idea. That’s perfect! Omg!! That’s the best advice I’ve gotten so far. I’ll pig out during breaks. I can’t thank you enough.</p>
<p>When I first studied SAT, I lost focus mainly because I did not understand the passage detail. It was really frustrating but when I actually took initiative in understanding, like looking up in dictionary and outlining the reading passage, etc, I found myself engaged in close reading. I’m not saying it’s fun to do CR but it became interesting enough to keep me engaged.</p>
<p>You definitely need to work on zoning out everything aside from the test. Focus on it as though it’s the only thing in your world, just ignore everything else. Immerse yourself in the questions and essays - you’ll need to practice to do this.
Try and visualize the CR essays in front of you as a sort of movie/story. It might be helpful. I know it sounds nuts, but try and have fun with the test.</p>
<p>^Yes, have fun and it’s always good to be humble and not become all high and mighty because you think you aced it. Last time, I felt this way and then ended up sucking. This time I was more serious and humble. Also, on CR, I followed the words with my pencil and when my mom asked me about the passages, I actually remembered them. So, I would read over things with your pencil so you stay more focused.</p>
<p>Lastly, it is the best idea to have a snack and drink some water during the breaks…</p>
<p>“Really? Push ups? That’ll look crazy. How about a walk around the school for 5 mins?”</p>
<p>You are not permitted to leave the testing building. :p</p>
<p>a small sugar-free breakfast, a few shots of espresso, and a routine pencil jab on the thigh every 20 minutes should keep you perky.</p>
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No, but he can walk down the hallway, go get a drink from the water fountain and come back. </p>
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<p>I do not advise the Espresso, you will be jittery on your way to the test and during the 1st few sections and then you’ll just collapse. Eat a decent sized breakfast too like eggs or cereal and juice, not a small sugar-free one, that is pointless.</p>
<p>@OP You’re welcome! Did it work? I love salt and vinegar chips too:) but for some people food makes them sleepy, like my friends who’re always dozing off in lectures… Know yourself and don’t overdose on the candy (especially those with aspartame… <em>cough cough</em> laxative effects)</p>
<p>Lol. It helped a lot. Thanks. Ur awesome. I pigged out during my AP tests (breaks). I was focused like crazy! I wore my PJ’s, brought a thick sweater and placed it on the chair. Man! That was super comfortable. So…snacks, squishy comfy chair, PJ’s, and my feet up on my friend’s back chair—>> that was like a beach day.</p>