Ever wonder exactly how long you’ll have to wait for a break while taking the SAT? College Board publishes an SAT test day schedule but it doesn’t tell you how many breaks you get and when. Since we know you want to thoroughly prepare for test day, we also posted the real SAT schedule with breaks.
You get one 10 minute break and one 5 minute break during the SAT. Although a 1-minute stretch break used to be mentioned on the official schedule, most of the students we talked to in Dubai didn’t get one.
With only 15 minutes of break time during the 3 to 4 hours of testing, you’ve got to use your breaks wisely. Here’s how to get the most out of your break time:
1. Scout the restrooms when you arrive.
Most people head for the toilet when the break starts. You want to know where they are so you don’t waste precious time standing in line. If you can, go to restrooms a little further away from your classroom because these restrooms are likely to be empty.
2. Bring water.
You can’t drink during the test and you’d be surprised how thirsty you get while working. Having only a can of Coca-Cola won’t really help you. You need a drink that quenches your thirst and is in a resealable bottle in case you don’t finish it. Besides, you don’t want to be on a sugar high (or crash) during the SAT.
3. Bring a snack or two that you can eat in 5 minutes.
We’ve seen people bring some crazy snacks to the SAT: cold pizza, a big manakeesh, a Big Mac meal from McDonald’s. The best snacks are: 1) individually wrapped, 2) able to be eaten in 5 minutes, and 3) brain food. You want healthy snacks that will give you a boost without a sluggish crash later. Here are our top picks:
- granola bars
- fruit (already peeled or sliced and in a ziplock bag)
- hummus and cut vegetables
- cheese and crackers
- mini fatayer
Now that you know when to break and what to bring, we’re sure that your SAT experience will be a little bit easier.
Have a different experience with SAT breaks in Dubai or more tips for other students? Let us know!
