The average student will tell you that taking the SAT is something they are not looking forward to. Poor performances on test like the SAT are blamed on nerves and exhaustion. However, studies have shown that these factors, alone with some fatigue, might be a good thing?
A study was conducted by a psychology professor of Georgia Tech., where 239 college freshmen in the Atlanta area, agreed to take different versions of the SAT test. The test was set on a Saturday morning and would last for three and a half to five and a half hours. Before the test given, students were asked to fill out a questionnaire to find out about their mood, fatigue levels and confidence about taking the exam. Students were given the questionnaire at halftime in the test as well as in the end.
It was no surprise that fatigue and stress levels rose, but the average score out of the 239 tested was 1209 out of 1600! Those who tested for four and a half hours scored 1222. Subjects’ who took it for five and half hours scored 1237.
The possibility of why this happened is that subjects’ felt their fatigue increased during the course of the exam rather then decreased. The stress that students were experiencing at the time of the SAT could have been contributing factors of good stress that caused them to focus to reach their goal.
Many board members of the SAT fear that this experiment might give false information about the state of mind most test takers should be in. The number one factor that should be made is that students need to do their best and not put more pressure on themselves then needed. It is suggested that those who are taking the SAT needs to get plenty of rest the night before. Make sure they eat a well balance meal and relax while taking the exam.