Overcoming Test anxiety

                                                            Susan T. Dempf, Ph.D.

Test anxiety is a psychological and physiological response to stress resulting from being in an environment in which your performance will be assessed.  Typical signs include:

• Sweating palms; some people will perspire
• Raised heart rate
• Difficulty concentrating
• Trembling
• Dry mouth, usually occurs when you are taking an oral exam
• Inappropriate or disproportionate fear of failure
• Upset stomach
• A feeling of panic

Suggestions for overcoming test anxiety:

• Address this issue with your teacher prior to the test, letting them know that you are feeling anxious.
• If you have options in the way you will be assessed (projects and essays vs. taking a mid term and a final), select assessment options that allow you to minimize the weight of the test on your grade.
• Be prepared; don’t put off studying because you are afraid that you might fail.  Your fear may cause you to avoid studying which results in increased anxiety.
• Talk with your teacher to make sure you are studying the right material.
• Work with a study group and ask members of the group to quiz you.
• For an SAT, take a SAT prep course like the one offered by Sylvan Learning Center , you will learn what to expect and strategies to increase your success rate.
• Pay attention to time, if you are unfamiliar with a question, mark it so that you can return to it later.
• When reviewing for a final exam take your original tests again in a timed format, time needs to become a factor because timed tests usually increase anxiety
• Pace yourself and do not pay attention to those who finish ahead of you.  If you don’t know the answers, it is easy to turn your test in early.  Rarely does the person who turns in their test first earn the highest grade.

Having solid knowledge of the topic being tested will relieve your anxiety.  If you know the material, you will have answers to the questions.  Scan the test for something you know well, start by answering the questions you perceive to be the easiest first.  You will feel more confident once you have demonstrated success.