Sleep beats one more night of studying
Protect your sleep in the final week
Even one night of poor sleep measurably hurts focus and memory. Cramming late the night before an exam usually takes away more than it adds. If you have followed an exam-date study plan through the week, the last night should be a light 10-15 minute review at most, then a full 7-8 hours of sleep.
Two simple techniques that reduce test anxiety
Calm your nerves before you walk in
- Write about your worries for 10 minutes right before the exam. Expressive writing about test-related anxiety has been shown in controlled studies to lower the burden of that anxiety and improve outcomes, especially for people who tend to worry heavily before tests.
- Paced breathing for 5 minutes: in for 5 seconds, out for 5 seconds, repeated. Slow, even breathing calms the nervous system faster than simply trying not to think about it.
Practice under real conditions at least once
Take one realistic mock exam in the final week
Take the 36-question Real Exam mode at least once in the last week (no per-question reveal, graded at the end) so your body and mind get used to the pressure the real exam creates. Practicing under conditions close to the real thing reduces surprise and helps you stay calm when it counts.
Accommodations for older test-takers
Support is available if you need it
California DMV offers accommodations for older adults and anyone who needs extra support: testing in Vietnamese, large-print materials, and other assistance depending on the office. Ask directly when you book your appointment or at the counter if you need it. See our insurance help for new drivers once you have passed.