The Night Before the Test: Your Ultimate Checklist for a Restful and Productive Evening

After months of hard work, the final 12 hours before the HSAT have arrived. This critical time is not for frantic, last-minute cramming; it's for carefully preparing your mind and body for peak performance. A calm, organized evening can be just as beneficial as any of the study sessions that came before it.

Think of this as your pre-flight checklist. Following these simple steps will help minimize stress, ensure a smooth morning, and allow you to walk into the test center feeling confident and in control.

The Golden Rule: Absolutely No Cramming

This is the most important rule. The time for learning new material has passed. Your brain needs this evening to rest and consolidate all the information you've studied. A last-minute cram session is far more likely to increase your anxiety and fatigue than it is to increase your score. Trust the work you've put in following your HSAT Study Plan.

Your Pre-Test Checklist

[✅] Eat a Healthy, Familiar Dinner As we discussed in our guide to Fueling Your Focus, your pre-test meals matter. Eat a balanced dinner with protein, complex carbohydrates, and vegetables. Avoid anything overly heavy, greasy, or spicy. Tonight is not the night to try a new restaurant or dish. Stick with something you know agrees with your system.

[✅] Pack Your Test-Day Bag Getting everything ready tonight eliminates a major source of morning stress. Pack your bag with the essentials:

  • Your admission ticket

  • A valid photo ID

  • Several sharpened #2 pencils

  • A high-quality eraser

  • A watch (a simple, non-smartwatch is best, but check official CPS rules for the current year)

  • A water bottle

  • A healthy snack (like a granola bar) for after the test

[✅] Plan Your Outfit Choose comfortable clothes you can wear in layers. Test centers can have unpredictable temperatures, and you don't want to be distracted by being too hot or too cold.

[✅] Set Multiple Alarms Set an alarm on your phone and another on a separate clock. This simple step can help you relax and reduce any anxiety about oversleeping.

[✅] Do Something Relaxing for 30-60 Minutes You need to let your brain switch off from "study mode." Watch a lighthearted movie, listen to your favorite music, read a book for fun, or just chat with your family. This period of relaxation is crucial for reducing stress.

[✅] Get to Bed at a Reasonable Hour Aim for a full 8-9 hours of sleep. Don't drastically alter your schedule, but make a point to get to bed on time. Your brain will thank you in the morning.

Managing Last-Minute Nerves

It's completely normal to feel jittery the night before a big test. If you find your mind racing, take five minutes before you go to sleep to do one of the breathing or mindfulness exercises we've discussed. A few slow, deep breaths can work wonders.

Trust Your Training

The calm confidence you need for test day doesn't come from last-minute studying. It comes from the weeks of consistent effort you've already completed. Every time you finished a timed CPS HSAT Practice Test, you were making a deposit in your "confidence bank." The night before the test is simply the time to trust that your account is full. You've done the work, you've simulated the experience, and you are ready.

By following this checklist, you are putting yourself in the best possible position to wake up feeling refreshed and organized. Now, get some rest—you've earned it.