#11: Eat normally. Sure, GRE day is special, but that doesn’t mean you need to treat yourself to a special breakfast. Nerves can turn a huge bacon, egg and cheese omelet against you—especially if you don’t usually eat that kind of thing. Eat what you normally eat for breakfast; not too much, not too little. If your test is in the afternoon, still make sure to eat something before it. Bring a nonsugar snack for the break. It’s a long day, and you’ll need the energy.

#10: Dress for success. One word: layers. If it’s hot, take some off. If it’s cold, leave them on. Comfort is key.

#9: Jump-start your brain. To employ the marathon analogy again (see #14), runners stretch before the big event to warm up. Likewise, it helps to do a bit of reading before the test to get your mind warmed up and stretch those brain cells into shape. We’re not talking Plato or Shakespeare here. Articles from a well-written newspaper, magazine, or journal containing the same kind of sophisticated writing you’ll see on the test will do.