Sometimes all kids think about before they take a test is how they need to study. There is no thought about how to physically and mentally prepare for a big test they are taking. That needs to change. Here are a few tips to help out. Most will be obvious but it seems that everyone overlooks them anyway:

Get some sleep the night before the test. Studying until the bell rings the next day for first hour doesn't really help a student prepare for a test. They need to get some rest. You can only cram so much into one night of studying. Get some sleep. Staying up a bit to study is fine but try to get to bed by midnight.

Eat breakfast before school. I know this is sound advice for every school day but it is rarely followed by some students. However, it is absolutely key on test days. If your test is in the morning hours you must eat something before you come to school. Preferably that food should have a good mix of protein and carbs to keep you energized and ready throughout the morning. A bunch of sugar from a red-bull or 5-hour energy doesn't cut it at all.

Relax, it isn't the end of the world. Lots of kids build up certain tests to be the end all be all of their entire academic life. "If I fail this test, my future is ruined" etc... That is no way to go into a test and it is no way to think in general. No test in high school, no matter how big it seems, holds that much sway over your future. If you do poorly on one test it will not ruin your life. Obviously you want to do well but if for some reason you don't there is always tomorrow. Remember that.