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As a tutor, you coach your students to not just ace the test questions but also be mentally and physically prepared for PSAT test day. Tips, strategies, practice material, mock tests… everything you know about PSAT is aligned toward one goal: student success.
In addition to this, other important factors like test-day logistics, alertness, or a positive attitude should be on your PSAT test day checklist.
This article has tips for tutors to help students do before, during, and after the test. These test day tips for PSAT can help students beat stress, approach the test with confidence, and significantly improve their scores.
A PSAT tutor cannot claim that their job is done after they’ve provided the test prep material, or helped solve all the mock PSAT questions. Tutors have a larger role in building a student’s confidence and keeping them at peak form on D-day.
Smaller, non-academic details matter considerably to test-takers. The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine says that teens need eight to ten hours of sleep. The Harvard Summer School considers having a healthy breakfast on the test day as one of the important factors for test success.
Consider two students with the same potential and PSAT preparations. They can end up receiving considerably different scores simply because of these seemingly insignificant aspects. And this small difference could mean either winning a scholarship or missing it.
Your PSAT test day checklist will make sure nothing is left to chance.
Sure, many students might have their unique pre-test routines based on all the tests they’ve written over the years. However, PSAT scoring is different from classroom tests, so here are the things you want to emphasize:
The PSAT isn’t your regular class quiz, so last-minute cramming is unlikely to help. Restrict studying the previous night to a minimum. Spend the evening in a calm, relaxed state rather than overloading your brain with new information.
No, this doesn’t contradict the earlier advice about avoiding last-minute study. While you should give your brain a break the night before the test, it’s a good idea to go through your overall test-taking strategy. For instance, you can remind yourself that you shouldn’t spend too long on any particular question.
Take a walk, chat with your family (about non-test topics!), or have a calm dinner. The idea is to shift your mind away from test stress, so anything that can divert your thoughts is a good bet.
This is one of the key PSAT test tips: have your essentials ready. List what you'll need and pack your bag with required ID and any materials your school specifies. Since the PSAT is digital, you won't need pencils or pens. Double-check everything before you go to sleep.
Set your alarm early enough so you can get ready comfortably. Choose your test day outfit in advance. Have your bag packed and ready to go. Start for the venue early because you want to keep some room for delays in traveling.
Stick to your usual bedtime and wake-up rhythm. Aim for at least eight hours of rest. An interesting suggestion: don’t go to sleep too early. Chances are you won’t fall asleep quickly, and tossing and turning in your bed idly could raise your stress levels.
Confirm the venue, parking or transport options, and check-in requirements in advance. This will make sure you don’t feel rushed or tense.
Pick out layered, comfortable clothes that work for different room temperatures. Carry a woolen jacket or sweater. If you aren’t carrying anything and the test room is cold, you’ll start to feel physically tense.
Before going to bed and once in the morning, try a calming technique to shake off the nerves. It could be slow breathing, positive self-talk, or a short visualization to reduce nerves and boost focus.
Test day is here and your students are excited to start the experience. Here are the most important PSAT test day tips for your students to practice.
Have something substantial but not unusual for you. Don’t eat anything that can make you feel bloated for hours. Choose something nutritious that will keep your brain sharp till the end of the test.
Key principles for test day:
The goal is steady energy throughout the morning without blood sugar spikes and crashes.
Choose soft, non-restrictive clothes. Remember, you’re going to be wearing it for several hours, mostly sitting, so dress accordingly.
This is perhaps one of the most underrated parts of the PSAT test day checklist: continue your routine. Perhaps you solve the daily Sudoku or read your favorite comic strip from the newspaper. Don’t skip it on test day. Familiar habits reduce anxiety and help you feel in control.
Do some light reading or tackle a couple of practice problems you know are easy. They will “switch on” your brain without taxing it too much to get mentally alert. And yes, avoid any heavy studying.
Keep your phone and unnecessary items at home or in your locker to avoid stress and rule violations. If you bring them to the test center, worrying about leaving them unguarded will distract you from concentrating.
Give yourself at least 15 extra minutes to park, check in, and settle without feeling rushed. Feeling relaxed enables your brain to perform optimally.
Practice slow breathing, positive self-talk, or a quick visualization to reduce pre-test jitters. Remind yourself that you’ve been working hard for the test and it’s going to pay off. A pep talk to yourself before you login can work like a charm.
If you realize you're losing focus during the test, pause briefly to refocus. Look away from your screen, take a deep breath, and do subtle movements like rolling your shoulders or flexing your hands. Keep these breaks to just a few seconds and avoid anything that might draw the proctor's attention.
Focus only on the section you’re in; avoid getting stuck too long. Be sure not to miss questions—remember there’s no penalty for guessing. This is one of those PSAT test day tips that all students know but often forget, so be alert.
During the scheduled break, step away from your testing area to stretch and reset your focus. If allowed, have a small snack and water that you've stored outside the testing room. Use this time to re-energize yourself physically and mentally before returning to complete the test.
Since the test is computer-based, familiarize yourself with the digital testing platform beforehand. Practice using online tools like the built-in calculator, highlighting features, and answer elimination options. Most login procedures will be handled on test day, but knowing the basic interface will help you feel more confident.
Do a final mental check: know your testing center location, arrival time, and what to bring for check-in. Familiarizing yourself with these logistics ahead of time can help reduce test-day anxiety and let you focus on the exam itself.
You know the test doesn’t essentially end the moment the computer says “Time Up!” The PSAT test day checklist you share with students invariably includes some post-test activities. Here are the prominent ones:
Take a moment to reward yourself with something enjoyable after the test. This is an important landmark in your student life—and career—so a minor celebration is justified.
Fell sick during the test? Something unpleasant happened? Speak with your counselor promptly to explore possible next steps or accommodation
Regardless of the outcome, note what worked well and what didn’t: time management, question approach, or stress control. Use the PSAT score calculator to delve deeper. That will help you do better in future exams like the SAT or the ACT.
PSAT scores are typically released 6-8 weeks after the test date. Check the College Board website for the official release timeline. And till then, relax.
Once you get your score report, understand it. If you’ve achieved what you’re looking for, celebrate! Meet with your counselor for the next steps. Otherwise, meet with your tutor to see which sections or question types caused the most trouble. That will help you tailor your future prep more effectively.
You’ve worked with a variety of students, and you know that some of these tips for PSAT are more suited to some students than others. But they work, and can help students beat anxiety and stay in control to perform their best.
These apparently small, non-academic activities outside the test room can significantly improve scores. That’s why you don’t want to lose the opportunity where merely reminding a student to, say, have a proper breakfast on the test day could help them stay calm. In addition to those practice questions and mock tests, these PSAT test day tips are an integral part of making the student fully test-ready.
Edison’s digital tools for PSAT are created to accurately mimic the real test: test environment, screen layout, question types, and question distribution. You can not only use the analytics to help fix the gaps but you can use the simulated test user interface (UI) to see your students use all the tools.
Simply schedule a demo with our expert to learn more.
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