Your Test Day Checklist: What to Do Before Your Practice Test
To get the most out of your practice test:
- Simulate real testing conditions—treat it like the real thing
- Prep intentionally the night before, like it’s game day
- Build habits, not just good intentions
- Bring everything you need so test day goes smoothly
- Reflect after to turn practice into progress
Why Your Practice Test Might Not Reflect Your Real Ability
Have you ever taken a practice test and thought, This doesn’t feel like how I usually perform? That’s not always about content—it’s often about how you prepared for the experience itself. The best practice tests don’t just test what you know—they help you improve how you take the test.
Simulate the Testing Environment
Real test day = real rules.
To get the most value, mimic the actual testing experience as closely as possible.
✅ Do this:
- Join a live proctored test when you can, but if not, use a timer and take breaks only when scheduled
- Sit at a desk (not your bed)
- Turn off your phone or leave it in another room
- Allow some background noise, like what you'd hear at a test center
This builds endurance and confidence—two of your most important tools.
Turn Good Intentions into Concrete Habits
Saying "I won't rush" isn't a strategy. Creating habits is.
Try these:
- To avoid rushing: Underline key words in every question
- To catch mistake: Write out every math step, even easy ones
- To manage time: Use pacing cues, like writing "halfway check"
Your goal: make smart habit second nature.
The Night Before: Prep Like It’s Game Day
Think like an athlete. Calm > Cram.
Here's your night-before checklist:
- 🔁 Review key notes, formulas, and pacing tips
- 🚫 Don’t cram—it causes fatigue and stress
- 💤 Start getting sleep two nights before
- 🎒 Pack your test gear the night before
What to Bring on Practice Test Day
What you need depends on your format, but for all proctored exams you will need your Revolution Prep Student Dashboard username and password (this was emailed to students upon registration). Here’s a quick breakdown of everything else:
📍In-Person Proctored Practice Tests:
- SAT, PSAT, AP or Computer-Based ACT Practice Tests
- Charged laptop/tablet
- Pencils for scratch work
- Optional: Calculator (if you prefer not to use the built-in calculator)
- Optional: charger, snack, water, backup device, layers, silent watch, external mouse
- Paper ACT Practice Tests
-
- #2 pencils (not mechanical)
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- Download the Revolution Prep mobile app for easy scoring: Google Play | Apple
-
- Optional: silent watch, snack, water
💻
Online Proctored Practice Tests
- SAT, PSAT, AP or Computer-Based ACT Practice Tests
-
- Charged laptop/tablet
-
- Pencils and blank scratch paper
-
- Quiet space with reliable internet
-
- Optional: Calculator (if you prefer not to use the built-in calculator)
- Paper ACT Practice Tests
-
- Download the Revolution Prep mobile app for easy scoring: Google Play | Apple
-
- Pencils and blank scratch paper
-
- Quiet space, reliable internet
Prep everything the night before so you're not rushing the morning of.
Reflect to Improve (Not Just Score)
Once you’ve finished—start evaluating.
Take five minutes to ask yourself:
- ✅ What strategies worked?
- ⚠️ Where did I lose focus?
- 🔁 Did I follow my game plan?What helped me stay on track?
This turns “I took a practice test” into “I got better.”
Final Takeaway: Practice with Purpose
A practice test is more than a score—it’s a training session.
A practice test isn’t just a performance—it’s a dress rehearsal. When you prepare the environment, build intentional habits, and review how it went, you create results that last.
✔ Simulate the real thing
✔ Prep with intention
✔ Build strong habits
✔ Reflect and adjust
