Test Anxiety
Test Anxiety is when a student excessively worries about doing well on a test. This can become a major barrier to performing well on tests and cause extreme nervousness.
The following is a list of tips and strategies that can be useful in reducing test anxiety:
- Being well prepared for the test. This is the best way to reduce test anxiety.
- Space out studying over several days before the test and continually review class material. Don't cram only the night before.
- Keep a positive attitude while preparing for the test and while taking the test.
- Exercising regularly helps reduce stress.
- Get a good night's sleep before the test.
- Make sure you arrive to class early. This allows you to not worry about being late and allows you to ask any questions before the test for clarification.
- Chew gum (if allowed) during the test.
- Stay relaxed. If you start to get nervous, take a few deep breaths to relieve the tension.
- Read the directions slowly and carefully. If you don't understand the directions or something on the test, ask the teacher to explain it to you.
- Skim through the test so you can figure out how best to pace yourself.
- Write down important formulas, facts, definitions, keywords in the margin first so you won't forget them.
- Do the simple questions first to help build up your confidence for the harder questions.
- Don't worry about how fast other people finish the test, concentrate on your own test.
- If you don't know the answer to a question, skip it and come back to it later. Sometimes a question later in the test will help you answer the one you skipped. Remember that you don't have to get every question correct to still do well on the test.
- Don't let your mind wander.
**Adapted from www.testtakingtips.com.