<p>SAT about a month away. It's quite scary for me since it's gonna be my first one. Is this quite normal? Anything to fix this and make sure I'm not nervous prior to and while taking the test?</p>
<p>Take practice tests and see where you fit. Based on that information, you can try improving your weak spots (CR, Writing, Math)</p>
<p>If you dissect your weaknesses further, you can even focus on specific things that you are not-so-adept at. (Rhetorical skills, vocabulary, comma usage, semi-colon mechanics, etc.)</p>
<p>I wouldn’t take the test without any prior exposure. At least try to familiarize yourself with it. January will be the first time I take the test too, but I feel rather comfortable with its format and its timing. (The critical reading proposes some very interesting findings. Out of the three Critical Reading sections, the double-mini-passage big-passage is VERY lenient on time. You can read at very slow speeds and still have plenty of time to look over your answers. The big-passage 20 minute is also very generous with time. The double-mini passage double-big-passage is also surprisingly lenient, despite its menacing appearance. I recommend you give each question its required attention, because making a stupid mistake, which you may not be able to fix later due to time restraint, can be prevented.)</p>
<p>Wow look at me just rambling on. Sorry about that. To answer your question, I think that it’s a perfectly reasonable response. Just get more familiar with the test and you’ll find yourself at ease.</p>
<p>Haphazard, all you need to not be nervous is a LOT OF PRACTICE. The more you take SAT practice tests, the less nervous you are since you have done them so many times. Also relax, stretch and rest during the breaks and yes, being nervous is quite normal. However, if you do enough practice with the practice tests all through this month, you will be fine. And remember, you can always take it again.</p>
<p>I took tons of practice tests before my first SAT, but I was still pretty nervous. The second time I felt a lot better, because I felt familiar to it, like I was a professional SAT taker or something (which is weird, since it was only my second time…). The more ACTUAL SAT’s you take, the easier it becomes.</p>
<p>Anyways, if you can trick yourself into thinking that you are an expert test-taker, just going in for another day at work, then it’s easier. </p>
<p>Also, here are a few motivational phrases that I read to myself before my second SAT:</p>
<p>• It’s just a big, fun puzzle to be solved.
• The answers are right in front of you; you just have to find them.
• You have been trained to do this, and are as experienced as anyone.
• If things get bad, stay calm and remember to keep your wits.
• Don’t think of it as going backwards from 2400; you’re going forwards from 600.
• The consequences don’t matter; only what’s in front of you matters.
• No miracles needed. Just do what you know you can.
• You’ve done this 20 times before, so it’s nothing new.</p>
<p>Enjoy. And yes, some of these are complete lies, but they still got me through to a 2360.</p>
<p>Think of it this way: This is one of the few tests a) in which every correct answer is somewhere in front of you and b) that you can retake. By all means, practice beforehand, sleep well the night before, etc. However, even in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, you have other chances. Think of it as a learning experience rather than something that will make or break your college applications (because this one test-taking experience won’t).</p>
<p>Also, have you taken the PSAT? Because it’s almost exactly like that, only with an essay.</p>
<p>I promise you’ll be just fine. Really, it’s more irritating than scary. Good luck! :)</p>
<p>Don’t believe these people above me. I speak from two times experience. The SAT is a horrible experience. You walk into the test room, it’s so cold that you begin to shiver and get goosebumps all over. You can see everyone’s faces as pale as ghosts, some looking down, reading prayers, others trying to ease the stress through banter. The proctor walks in , suddenly, your heart skips a beat. Breathing becomes forced, and non-linear. The proctor looks up at the clock, managing a mischievous smile at the terrified students infront of him. Now, the answer and question sheets arrive, and you stare at the booklets dumbfounded. You feel as if you’ve never even seen the test before, let alone been familiar with it through countless hours of practice. Your future depends on the following four hours. This test, will determine whether you get accepted to college or not. Finally, a copy is handed to you by the proctor, and there it lays on your desk. You become oblivious to all sounds around you, the seemingly nonrhythmic beating of your heart pounds away, you begin to sweat intensively, and the four hours ahead of you seem as if they are four days. You manage to calm down a bit, as you become accustomed to the situation, but you are suddenly awakened from your daydream by the proctor’s call: “Section one, essay, twenty five minutes, begin!”…</p>
<p>Just kidding. It’s just another test like any other test you’ve done before. You’re only nervous for the first 5 minutes, then, when you start writing your essay, it actually becomes more boring and monotonous just like any other practice test you’ve done before.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Hahahaha. That was intense. I actually pictured myself, mentally, being really nervous and stuff. That was really good man. Great imagery. Made my night/morning.</p>
<p>Don’t freak yourself out, it’s just another test! Just walk in with a mindset like “I’m going to kick the SAT’s butt!” and it will all work out. Good Luck!</p>
<p>That’s kind of hard for me. "/. I need around a 2,000 for the school I want to go to. I have the grades, but it’s just the SATs that I’m worried about.</p>