Test Anxiety

Handout:
Test Anxiety.pdf

1. Reduce anxiety by thoroughly preparing for the test.
   

2. Study habits

   • Begin studying even if you only have a few minutes
   • Reserve times of high energy and alertness for hard subjects
   • Study in an environment which will allow you to concentrate
   • Deal with distracting ideas while studying by jotting them down on a piece of paper to be reviewed later
   • Follow study time with reinforcement (ex. Study fifty minutes, break ten minutes)
   • Use more spaced than massed (cram sessions) study time.
     
3. Test preparation – teach the material instead of rereading it.
   
4. Establish contact with teacher to reduce “opponent” feeling.
   
5. Pre-experience in your mind taking test in a positive manner (mental rehearsal)
   
6. Get a restful sleep the night before the test and relax before you take the test.
   
7. Keep test in perspective with more important things in life.
   
8. Go to testing room a few minutes early to avoid “rushed feeling”
   

9. Taking the test

   • Use slow, deep breathing for a few minutes to relax
   • Scan test
   • Jot down memorized details
   • Answer questions you know first, and come back to difficult questions
   • Give yourself positive messages
   • Close eyes and relax for a moment if tension builds
   • Answer “long-shot” items as test time nears end
     
10. React in a positive way to test performance after the test.