6 days until my test and I am a nervous wreck.

[jjackieelynn]

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I have been studying for a few months and I have been doing fine on the practice tests, but does anyone else get the feeling like they don't know anything or aren't prepared even after endlessly studying for this? I just feel so terrible like I won't remember anything once the test day comes. It is really hard for me to review right now because I am just too nervous, then I get even more nervous because I can't review! I don't know what to do!

 

[NMC2010]

This is normal. I felt the exact same way (and I bet you most others did too). Do things like watching comedy on TV to relax every couple of hours this week, then continue on in your studying. As for test day/day before, here's what I suggest:

- Don't study much (if at all) the day before, just relax for the most part

- Eat a nice, healthy breakfast the day of the test (wonder bread works wonders for me)

- They tell you to be at the test center half an hour early, be there an hour early instead

- Jog around the parking lot of the test center for 10 - 15 min (circulates oxygen to brain), say a prayer, do whatever else you need to in order to relax

- Go in about half an hour early to the test center

- Strike up a conversation with the receptionist or people in the test area, smile - they'll enjoy talking to you, because they're probably nervous as well (or bored for the receptionist) - this will help calm your nerves

- Go in there, make your grids during the 15 min tutorial, relax, and go for it!

It's not too much, but doing a few of things will help you get in a better mindset and get your brain ready to take the test. Don't spend too much time on any one question, just mark it and come back. Be sure to bring a snack for the intermission too. Good luck - you can do this!

 

[jjackieelynn]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your input! I will do everything you suggest and hope everything goes well X_X

 

[starnova]

I have been studying for a few months and I have been doing fine on the practice tests

You'll be fine, just relax and don't study that much a few days before the exam 😀
In fact, I didn't do well on practice tests but did exceptionally well on the real DAT. I feel like the real thing is easier tbh.

 

[jjackieelynn]

You'll be fine, just relax and don't study that much a few days before the exam 😀
In fact, I didn't do well on practice tests but did exceptionally well on the real DAT. I feel like the real thing is easier tbh.

Thanks! I will try my best 🙂
And really? I hope it is easier! sometimes I do average or a little lower on practice tests and those get me worried then I do well on another one so I think that's why I'm having mixed feelings about it. I guess by now if I don't know my stuff then I don't know it!

 

[jHoon]

Just make sure you get good rest!!!!! If you know you'll have trouble sleeping the night before place yourself in bed like an hour or two before your normal sleeping time lol. I got 3-4 hours of sleep the night before my exam and I payed for it. I began falling asleep during my test and it really showed on my scores.

I'm sure you'll do great and good luck!

 

[mightymoose02]

Thanks! I will try my best 🙂
And really? I hope it is easier! sometimes I do average or a little lower on practice tests and those get me worried then I do well on another one so I think that's why I'm having mixed feelings about it. I guess by now if I don't know my stuff then I don't know it!

Well, it depends on which practice tests you are talking about.

I personally did the 2007 ADA test for the Sciences and re-did DAT BootCamp questions the day before.

Sleep is important. I think I got 10 hours. Unless you have a good sleeping pattern, I would definitely follow the person-above-me's advice and sleep a few hours before you normally sleep. I woke up middle of the night twice because I average around 6-7 hours of sleep normally so my circadian rhythm was off. But sleep is sleep. It paid off. Felt very comfortable and awake during the test.

You can also see my breakdown for what I did during the test day and some of the little things I did right before my test. (i.e. testing out the marker before going into the testing room)

Eat something that your stomach is used to eating all the time. For me, I ate subway almost everyday leading up to test day so that's what I ate on test day.

Take control of the day. 👍

"Either you run the day or the days run you"

 

[supergenius310]

I have been studying for a few months and I have been doing fine on the practice tests, but does anyone else get the feeling like they don't know anything or aren't prepared even after endlessly studying for this? I just feel so terrible like I won't remember anything once the test day comes. It is really hard for me to review right now because I am just too nervous, then I get even more nervous because I can't review! I don't know what to do!

One thing I recommend is calming yourself and thinking about the future. If there was even the slightest chance you had to retake...what would be the big deal? Just relax and know there is ALWAYS another chance or route. Don't be discouraged. Also, I recommend practicing meditation to calm your nerves. Just sit down and close your eyes...relax your whole body and think of absolutely nothing. It helped me a lot through my day of studying. Just feel one with yourself and know that you will succeed no matter what the results are. Also, I suggest not studying more than 4-5 hours in a day (with breaks). Go have fun...go to the gym...do other things EVERY day. Don't let the studying consume you. On test day make sure YOU ARE NOT NERVOUS. Just let it go...trust me being nervous is the primary factor in scoring poorly. If you put the time and effort and went through all the study materials more than once...there is no reason that you should feel nervous. Go in humble enough to know even if you score mediocre you will be ok with it, but most likely you will succeed in the end. 🙂 good luck!

 

[jjackieelynn]

Aw wow everyone thank you so much for all the help and motivation! I feel a lot better and I will try to do everything that you are all suggesting! I wish I discovered this place before I even started studying because I know everyone is such a big help! :]

 

[Dent35]

good luck 🙂 just try to not be so nervous, be alert, yet calm.