Many high performance achievers use the process of visualization before doing what they set out to accomplish. This is especially true in the field of athletics.
Golfers “visualize” how to play a particular golf course in their mind. When they step out onto the actual course, they recall these “visions” before attempting a shot. Similarly, marathon runners map out racecourses in their minds. World-class runners know every hill, every curve, and every landmark on the course. These runners also know precisely what pace they must keep at any given part of the course in order to run a competitive race.
The effective use of visualization can help a student prepare for the SAT and other standardized tests. When preparing for the SAT, learn the formats of all the questions, know all the instructions, memorize all the mathematical formulas that are given, figure out the order that the questions are presented, and be an expert on how the test is scored.
For example, a student must know that the essay is the very first section of the SAT. Knowing the instructions in advance and visualizing the type of essay the student intends to write will put his or her mind at ease and avoid the possibility of writer’s block.
After taking several practice tests, the student should begin to recognize that there is a recurring format to the SAT. Visualization will enable the student to mentally break down the test into small pieces.
After the essay come the multiple-choice questions in reading, writing or math. A well-prepared test taker must visualize how much time he or she must allocate to each question depending upon the question type, difficulty and location in that section.
As for specific questions, a confident test taker will recognize that most questions are just slight variations of questions already seen in prior practice tests. Go over all of your practice tests and try to visualize and imagine your thought process when you first attempted to answer each question. Look at the notes and scribbleS you wrote in your test booklet. Try to answer the question again and make a mental impression of that question repeatedly until you are convinced that you “get it.”
The week before test day, visualize stepping into the exam room and totally acing the SAT! Think about how great it will be to never study for the SAT again.
Play out in your mind how happy you will be after it is all over and you open all the acceptance letters to college. The student who visualizes a successful test day is better prepared, more focused, less stressed and more confident of his or her abilities.
Steven N. Weisman is an author and private SAT Tutor. Many valuable test strategies and information can be found on his blog and website https://www.testniques.com.
