Is it better to stay up late studying for a test, or is it better to get 8 hours of sleep?

This is a tricky question. The answer depends on the individual student. While some students just cannot wake up in the morning and concentrate, others are more altert at dawn. However, as a rule parents discourage staying up at night and studying since they are typically, unable to monitor the progress of the student’s effort – after having spent a tiring day at work.

One very effective way is to study before going to bed; take a book to bed and dose off while reading it. Though doctors typically discourage reading in the lying down position, it has been observed that what one reads before going to sleep remains in the mind. Some students read out the answers into their mobile phone, plug on the earphones and go to sleep hearing their own voice reading out the answers to potential exam questions. This can be a good way to absorb a large amount of information in a short amount of time.

Some students stay up late just before a test.  To make this effort most effective, students should read concise answers to potential test questions, important points and formulae (for mathematics) during such late night study sessions. This is because during this time the student is not trying to learn anything from scratch but is only trying to reinforce areas where he or she feels are relatively weak. 

It is important to get sleep before the test. Therefore, never stay up the whole night before the exam. Even if you have only a few hours before having to wake up and take the test, you definitely need those few hours to rest.

It is important for students to score as high as possible on the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) to improve their chance of getting admission into the college of their choice. Competition for the best colleges is intense, given that a couple of million students take the test every year in the US alone.

There are many vital elements in preparing for the SAT test. These include understanding the nature of the test, practicing for the test and preparing oneself mentally and physically for the test. However, the most vital part is learning for the test itself.

One could begin by talking to students who have scored very high in past tests. This will give you some perspective.

This should be followed by undertaking some research on the test itself. A lot can be gleaned from the Internet. Visit various SAT coaching centers or their websites.

Then the student might want to take a baseline test. This will provide a basic scale of measurement about the student’s capabilities – and more importantly, weaknesses. The student should then concentrate on filling up gaps in his or her knowledge, i.e. shoring up areas of weakness.

Get information on all that is permitted and not permitted in the test. This will help avoid problems at the time of taking the test.

The student should physically prepare for the SAT test. How can that be done? The SAT test requires not only knowledge but also the skills to apply the knowledge, presence of mind and calm disposition while attempting to answer tricky questions. It is important not to get flustered. Try meditation, stay cool, stay away from memory enhancing drugs, get plenty of sleep and take a shower before going to the test – this will enhance the level of alertness. The rest will all follow.

All the best!