How To Improve Your Test Scores

Go to bed early the night before. Sleeping only six hours instead of eight increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol by 50%, and sleep- deprived people score 30% lower on memory tests.

Don’t skip the corn flakes. Students who eat breakfast score higher on tests and report less test-related anxiety. Best bets? Eggs for brain-boosting choline, and oatmeal for a calming increase in serotonin levels.

Imagine acing the test. Sounds crazy, but visualizing success, like a term paper marked “A,” stimulates the alpha waves associated with relaxation, making you less likely to choke during the exam.

Pop a stick of gum. In one British study, the act of chewing was found to activate the hippocampus, the brain area responsible for memory, improving recall by 35%.

Use this acupressure trick: Press the spot on your wrist about two thumb widths down from the base of the palm. Acupuncturists believe this signals the heart to slow to a more soothing rhythm.

Bring a bottle of water with you to the test. Even the slightest dip in hydration levels can lead to stress, memory loss, and a drop in mental functioning.

If you feel anxious during the test, take a deep breath. Breathe into your belly, not your chest; count to 10 as you inhale and 10 as you exhale. This helps you focus and lowers stress hormones in seconds.