Filed under: SAT Logic, SAT Prep, SAT Strategy | Tags: Andrew Turner, Archimedes, SAT Logic, SAT Prep, SAT Strategy
Three hours and forty-five minutes is a long time to go without food if you are exerting yourself physically or mentally. Food is the fuel we use to move ahead and the SAT certainly takes a lot of mental energy. You should definitely plan ahead to ensure you have a nutritious breakfast and some sort of energy snack handy during the SAT.
I suggest waking up early after going to bed early the night before the test. Having a breakfast that isn’t loaded full of sugar, grease, or fats is absolutely essential to supercharging your body with the right stuff. I suggest having a bowl of oatmeal with raisins, yogurt and granola, a veggie omelet, fresh fruits, whole grain cereals, eggs and toast, or anything of the like. You will want to avoid pancakes, french toast, syrup, deep fried foods, or anything that a tree-hugging hippy wouldn’t eat. Granulated sugars are not what your body needs first thing in the morning.
Also, don’t go crazy with the coffee! I highly recommend having a weak or dilluted cup of coffee or tea, but nothing very strong where you will be running to the restroom every ten minutes. You want to have just enough to waken the mind, but not so much that you burst your bladder. Be sensible and you won’t have anything to worry about.
Once you are in the test it might be a good idea to bring a trail mix or a couple granola bars. You want to avoid sugary foods and greasy snacks like chips or anything of similar nature. Moderate to high amounts of caffiene and sugar are two major contributors in the lack of ability to pay attention.
It wouldn’t hurt to go for a morning jog or bike ride either. There are been many studies relating exercise to increased brain function and in my personal experience I have found that exercising regularly helps me to clear my mind and get ready for the next project.
– Andrew Turner
