Tips for THE Day?

[hl4jn]

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I'm taking my DAT in 6 days (1/11) and I'm ALREADY so freaked out!!!

1. How did you calm yourself to sleep the night before the test?
2. How did you calm yourself before walking into the testing room/during break?
3. What did you eat for breakfast/snack?
4. What did you wear? Jeans? Sweats? Hoodie?

I'm so anxious right now 🙁

 

[aqz]

1) I watched some Downton Abbey on my laptop by my fireplace to relax.

2) The place I took it was warm and inviting with rays of sunlight shining through a tinted pane window. There was also a huge water fountain near the actual test center room.

3) A friend sent me a care package the night before. I ate most of it the night before, and the day of my mom made me a large breakfast.

4) I test well when I'm dressed well, so I layered up in a cardigan/dress shirt/tie combo.

The thing that helped me the most was my postponement. I was supposed to take it on 8/23, but the power was out and I had to postpone it until 8/28. At first I was furious, but on the 28th instead of being anxious like I was on the 23rd, I was more eager to get the test over with. I think that mentality helped.

 

[LaughingGas]

I'm taking my DAT in 6 days (1/11) and I'm ALREADY so freaked out!!!

1. How did you calm yourself to sleep the night before the test?
2. How did you calm yourself before walking into the testing room/during break?
3. What did you eat for breakfast/snack?
4. What did you wear? Jeans? Sweats? Hoodie?

I'm so anxious right now 🙁

1) I was nervous until the day of the exam, which affected my sleep the day before the test. If I had to do it again, I would take melatonin pill 4 hours before bed time and I wouldn't drink caffeine for the same day.
2)I was so nervous that I had to take a relaxant.
3) I had bagel, egg and fruits if I remember correctly. I avoided caffeine and any heavy meal to avoid using restroom during the test time (it will take you a good 5~10 minutes just to urinate due to check-in, check-out)
4) I believe most test centers have AC-On, so I took sweater.

-Don't take too much stuff, since the locker is REALLY small. I took small bottle of water and bread to eat during break.
If you worked hard, it will pay off. Luck plays big roll too so even if you don't get the desired score don't be too down.
Best luck

 

[hl4jn]

Also any tips on when to get up and study? I believe my test is an 8:30AM test. Should I review stuff or will that just make me more nervous?

 

[aqz]

I had a 12:30 test and just looked at some bio flashcards when I woke up at 8 am until 9. Then I ate breakfast and lost all motivation to study.

If your exam is 8:30 am, probably shouldn't do anything besides wake up a bit earlier (7 would be good) and just be awake for your exam.

 

[Troyvdg]

I'm taking my DAT in 6 days (1/11) and I'm ALREADY so freaked out!!!

1. How did you calm yourself to sleep the night before the test?
2. How did you calm yourself before walking into the testing room/during break?
3. What did you eat for breakfast/snack?
4. What did you wear? Jeans? Sweats? Hoodie?

I'm so anxious right now 🙁

1. The night before I was surprised with how calm I was...there is nothing else you can do to prepare, so no sense in freaking out about it. As long as you know you studied hard/did all you could to prepare, that should be enough to help you get a full nights rest

2. I was freaking out a tad when I got there. I purposely showed up early, sat in my car for a few minutes, used the restroom, and then walked into the prometric center early-they asked me if I was ready to get started, I said no, and took my time to completely calm down in one of the lobby seats before I went through the whole finger print/picture taking process (you'll be surprised with how much more calm you'll be after familiarizing yourself with the scenery)

3. powerbar and gatorade for both

4. I like to dress comfy while testing, they do have the AC on in the testing room...but lets be real, your adrenaline will be through the roof, the cold shouldn't bother you at all haha.
I wore basketball shorts, basketball sandals, and a hoodie

good luck👍

 

[LaughingGas]

If your test is in the morning, I would try to adjust my wake up time around 7am (depending how far you have to drive/commute), so I can be fully awake by 8:30 am.
This is just me being lucky, but I was tad paranoid about the test, and I reviewed bio flashcards as well, had 3 questions that I answered right because I reviewed them at the last minute.

 

[Athaloo]

1. The couple of days before the test I tried to plan what I was going to do the morning of the test - every little detail. Time of waking up, departing house, arrival, what to eat and wear, when I was going to drink a cup of coffee so I wouldn't have to go to the bathroom during the exam. The more prepared I was in terms of planning, the more at ease my mind was, so I didn't have issues sleeping.

2. I went through what I was to do the minute I received my laminated sheets (formulas and grids). I tried to visualize success. And I tapped my fingers like crazy.

3. Breakfast: toast and coffee. Snack: water and a sandwich.

4. Jeans and sweatshirt.

Make sure to explore these forums so that you won't be surprised by anything. Good luck!

 

[ekephant]

I had a light breakfast and wore my most comfortable pair of jeans with a hoodie. As for for calming yourself, just do whatever you normally do to relieve stress. For me it's playing guitar and working out. Good luck to you!

 

[hl4jn]

Thanks everyone! You guys are the best with awesome stats by the way!

So it takes 30 minutes to get there, but I also have to factor in rush hour in the morning so leaving my place at 6:45AM. Get there hopefully around 7:30AM. Chill the crap out and get in and hopefully get a good spot =) My test is at 8AM by the way. I wish it was 8:30 =/

Going to eat oatmeal, eggs, and banana. Then gatorade, small granola bar, and more banana with peanut butter haha.

I feel slightly better. Now if I can only find out where I left my favorite sweater...

 

[missdiana]

Good luck on it...