Test Anxiety

Most students feel some sense of anxiety when taking exams. A low level of anxiety can be helpful as a source of motivation to do well. However, for some students, the level of anxiety is so high that it prevents them from doing their best.

The panic that some students feel during a test often stems from feelings that you are unprepared or that you have done poorly on previous exams and are convinced that you will do poorly again. However, you can control this anxiety and you can do well on this exam.

The major key in doing well on exams is being prepared. This can be accomplished by attending class regularly, listening in class effectively, developing good notetaking skills, developing good study habits, and following an effective time management plan. Additional tips to deal with text anxiety include:

1. Study throughout the semester. Do not cram.
2. Become acquainted with the test site.
3. Get a good night's sleep.
4. Eat breakfast or lunch.
5. Allow yourself extra time to get to the exam.
6. Don't stand around and talk to other classmates before taking your exam.
7. Don't panic if other classmates are busy writing and you are not.
8. Skip difficult questions. Answer the easiest questions first. Come back to the difficult questions at the end of the exam. You may find a clue to a difficult question later on in the exam.
9. Don't over-emphasize the importance of any particular exam.
10. Don’t be upset if other classmates finish their exams before you do.
11. Learn relaxation techniques to help reduce tension. Practice progressive muscle relaxation. Slowly tense and then relax each part of your body. Practice deep breathing. Try visualizing a favorite spot that you find soothing.
12. Evaluate your success in a class in terms of your own grades not in terms of the grades your classmates obtain.
13. Maintain a positive attitude.
14. Visualize success.
15. Overlearn the material. The best way to eliminate text anxiety is to be over prepared.