4 Common Test-Day Mistakes To Avoid
It’s test day! After all of your preparation and practice, you’re finally here—your hard work is about to pay off.
However, you don’t want to make any easily-preventable errors. Here’s a list of common mistakes to avoid when taking the ISEE or SSAT:
- Forgetting Your Supplies
For the paper formats of both the ISEE and the SSAT, ensure you have at least three No.2 pencils and a good eraser to use during the test. Otherwise, you’ll want to have a computer or laptop you can access the online test on. Pack a water bottle and a snack (*in a clear plastic bag). It’s a long test, so you’ll want to be hydrated and energized. On that note, don’t forget to get enough sleep the night before, and eat a nutritious breakfast in the morning!
- Losing Track of Time
With the pressures of test day on your mind, it can be easy to lose track of time. Make sure to follow your time-management strategy, tackling easy questions first, then more difficult questions if time allows. Use the wall clock (or the timer on your testing platform, if applicable) to keep track of the remaining time on each section.
- Misreading Directions
Make sure that you read the directions carefully for each section, and for each question. Don’t assume that you know all the question types already—close reading ensures that you know exactly what each question is asking you to do.
- Not Showing Your Work
Don’t forget to use your scratch paper! For the essay, creating an outline before you start writing will help you organize your thoughts and craft a well-structured essay. For math problems, showing your work helps you avoid simple errors. Writing down as much of your process as possible will help you to succeed across all sections.
Originally published on September 12, 2018. Updated on January 30, 2026.
