Take Frequent Breaks

Six hours is a long time. Be sure to get up and walk around during the exam. We recommend taking a short, five-minute break every hour during the exam. Eat a snack, go to the restroom, walk around, stretch, crack your knuckles, or whatever (breathe?) . . . and then get back to the task at hand. You might even incorporate breaks into your test-taking strategy. For example, answer 50 questions and then take a short break.

Also, if you find your mind wandering or you have trouble focusing, take a break. Burnout and fatigue can lead to careless mistakes or indifference. If you feel these symptoms coming on, take a break.

But be careful not to overdo your breaks. Stick to frequent but short breaks, and you’ll be fine.