What to Do the Night Before the SAT or ACT
The night before the SAT or ACT is not a time for studying. Your preparation is behind you. What you do tonight won’t change what you know, but it can absolutely affect how you feel and perform tomorrow.
Here’s how to spend the evening well.
Don't Try to Cram
The SAT and ACT reward skills built over time, not last-minute memorization. A late-night cramming session is more likely to leave you tired and anxious than it is to boost your score.
If you’ve been studying consistently, trust the work you’ve already done. If you feel like you need to do something, a short, focused review of one or two question types is fine. Avoid taking a full-length practice test or any attempt to rework your approach to an entire section.
You are much better off completing a few practice problems in an area where you feel confident and then stepping away. That way you’ll wrap up your prep feeling sharp rather than overwhelmed.
Pack Your Bag Tonight
Don’t leave this for the morning. Gather everything you need now.
For the SAT, make sure you have:
- Your photo ID
- Your SAT admission ticket from Bluebook (printed)
- Your fully charged testing device (laptop or tablet with the Bluebook app installed)
- Your College Board login information
- A charger for your testing device (bring it just in case)
- Pencils or pens
- A permitted calculator with fresh batteries
- Snacks and water for the break
See the College Board’s official SAT test day page for the complete and current list of what to bring.
For the ACT, make sure you have:
- Your photo ID
- Your ACT admission ticket (printed)
- Several sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers
- If you’re taking the computer-based ACT, your fully charged laptop, charger, and any required login information
- A permitted calculator with fresh batteries
- Snacks and water for the break
- A simple analog watch (no smartwatches, no watches with alarms)
See ACT’s official test day page for the complete and current list of what to bring.
Plan Your Morning
Look up your test center address tonight and figure out how long it will take to get there. Build in extra time, just in case you encounter weekend traffic or construction delays.
Set your alarm (and a backup), lay out your clothes, and decide what you’re having for breakfast. Stick with something familiar. Tomorrow is not the morning to try a new food or skip a meal.
It's Normal to Feel Nervous
Some nervousness before a big test is completely normal. It means the test matters to you, and a little adrenaline can actually help you stay focused and sharp once you sit down.
If anxiety is making it hard to settle down tonight, try stepping away from screens, taking a few slow deep breaths, or doing something that you enjoy. You don’t need to feel perfectly calm to perform well tomorrow. You just need to rest.
For more on managing test anxiety in the moment (including what to do when nerves show up once the test begins), read our guide to managing test anxiety on test day.
Relax
You’ve put in the work, and you’ve earned a relaxing evening.
Do something you genuinely enjoy that has nothing to do with the SAT or ACT. Watch a favorite show, take a short walk, cook a good dinner, or call a friend. You’ll approach the test feeling more refreshed and ready.
A note for parents: The way you approach tonight matters too. If your student picks up on your stress or feels pressure to perform, it can make it harder for them to relax. The most helpful thing you can do is keep the evening normal and calm. A good meal, a calm house, and an early bedtime go a long way.
Go to Bed Early
A rested brain reads faster, retains information better, and makes fewer careless errors than a tired one. No amount of last-minute studying can make up for a poor night’s sleep.
Wind down, put your phone away, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. You’ve worked hard to get here. Tomorrow is about showing what you already know. Good luck!
Taking the test again, or preparing for a future date?
Sara Laszlo
Sara Laszlo has nearly ten years of experience in private tutoring. An opera singer by training, Sara is especially interested in exploring better ways to practice and improve skills, whether musical or test-related. She holds a B.A. in Classical Civilization from Duke University and a Certificate of Merit in Voice from the New England Conservatory of Music.
