Test Anxiety

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Test Anxiety
Online Study Skills Workshop The Office of
Academic Enhancement Texas AM University at
Galveston Developed by Kristen Lightner and Amber
Homrighaus
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What is test anxiety?

• Although most people experience some tension or
  feel nervous before a test, too much anxiety can
  interfere with ones ability to perform on a
  test, which is we refer to as test anxiety.

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What causes test anxiety?

• The two most common types of test anxiety are
• Lack of preparation
• Irrational tension and anxiety

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• If test anxiety is caused by a lack of
• preparation, it is a normal reaction. Test
• anxiety is a problem when you are
• adequately prepared, but still feel panic or
• experience other symptoms of test anxiety.

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What are symptoms of test anxiety?

• Butterflies in the stomach
• Feeling queasy or nauseous
• Headaches
• Racing pulse
• Hyperventilating
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Muscle cramps

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How can you overcome test anxiety?

• There are a number of ways to help cope
• with, and eventually overcome, test
• anxiety. Starting in advance of the test,
• and even on the day of the test, here are
• some ways to help you combat anxiety

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Days before the test

• Preparation
• Practice good study habits
• Avoid distractions
• Avoid cramming
• Create a good workspace
• Develop a positive attitude
• Set a reward for effort
• Get enough sleep the night before the test/exam

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Day of the test

• Eat a protein-filled breakfast with fruits and
  vegetables
• Avoid caffeine and processed foods, which can
  exacerbate anxiety
• Do something relaxing an hour before the test
  (walk, read a book)
• Get to the classroom early to pick a good seat
• Avoid last minute reviewing
• Bring a newspaper to read while waiting
• Avoid students who are discussing and worrying
  about the test

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During the test

• Read over the entire test
• Read over the directions two times
• Start with the easiest part of the test first
• Keep track of time

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Time management during the test

• To help with your time management during the
• test, you should
• Keep track of time
• If you are running out of time, answer what you
  know is correct
• Dont be distracted by other students finishing
  and turning in their tests focus on your time
  and work at your own pace.

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Anxiety during the test

• If you start to feel very anxious during the
  test, you can try
• one of these strategies to help alleviate the
  anxiety
• Take a short break to sharpen your pencil or get
  a tissue
• Take a break at your seat and visualize a calming
  place
• Do not focus on anything but the question you are
  currently working on
• Remember the reward you are giving yourself after
  the test

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After the test

• Go get your reward!
• Take a few minutes to reflect on
• How you managed your test anxiety
• How your studying effort affected your anxiety
• Which strategies best helped with your anxiety
• Dont obsess over the test.

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When your test is returned

• After you receive your graded test, you should
• always
• Go over the test to see where you made mistakes
• Work with your Professor or the TA to get ideas
  on how to improve for future tests and assignments

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Other tips for overcoming test anxiety

• Try not to compare yourself to other students
• Keep a running assessment of your anxiety what
  helps and what doesnt?
• Strive for a state of relaxed concentration
• If you feel that test anxiety is getting the best
  of you, go to the counseling center to speak to a
  counselor

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• Congratulations!
• Youve just completed the online
• seminar for test anxiety.
• We want to continue to help you! Contact an
  advisor in the Office of Academic Enhancement to
  set up a one-to-one consultation. Please call
  [phone] to make an appointment.

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References

• Barefoot, B., Gardner, J., Jewler, J. (2006).
  Step by step to college and career
• success, Second edition. Boston Thomson
  Wadsworth.
• Barefoot, B., Gardner, J., Jewler, J.(2007).
  Your college experience Strategies
• for success, Seventh edition. Boston
  Thomson Wadsworth.
• Master student Guide to academic success.
  (2005). Boston. Houghton Mifflin.
• University of Illinois Counseling Center
• Web site www.couns.uiuc.edu/Brochures/testan
  x.htm
• Outline by Kristen Lightner