Managing Test Anxiety

1
Managing Test Anxiety

• Before the test
• During the test
• After the test
• Prepared by Miriam Stroder

2
What is test anxiety?

• Test anxiety is the feeling of anxiousness that
  occurs before and during a test even after you
  have studied and prepared to the best of your
  ability.
• Test anxiety is common among college students.
• There are physical and emotional aspects
• There are steps you can take to alleviate the
  unpleasant aspects before, during, and after.

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What can you do about test anxiety before and
during the test?

• Relaxation techniques
• Study and prepare as much ahead of the test date
  as possible
• Improve your attitude toward test taking
• Take care of yourself
• Be organized with your study materials and your
  time

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Relaxation techniques

• Before the test
• While sitting in a chair or lying down,
  systematically tense and relax muscles.
• Whole body relaxation technique exercise
  instructions
• http//www.petersons.com/testprepchannel/dealing_w
  ith_test_anxiety.asp
• During the test
• Take deep breaths
• Talk positively to yourself
• (I can do this. Ill be o.k.)
• Practice negative thought stopping
• (Dont compare yourself to others. Dont
  entertain worries about how others expect you to
  perform on this test)

5
Study and prepare as much ahead of the test date
as possible.

• Before the test
• Learn apply different study strategies from
  your study tool box. Change the strategies
  according to the purpose and demands of the
  subject and test.
• Study at least 2 hours for every hour that you
  are in class.
• Learn about your teachers teaching style and
  testing style.
• Think about the following
• What material is the teacher likely
  to put on the test?
• What type of questions will there be?
  Predict questions.
• Will there be formulas?
• What percent of the final grade is
  this test worth?
• Try to meet with the professor before
  the test date to ask
• any questions you may have.

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Improve your attitude toward test taking

• Before and during the test
• Dont base this test on past tests
• Just focus on doing your best
• Think of yourself in a positive manner
• Create a post test treat for yourself
• After the test
• Get that post test treat you promised yourself
• Pat yourself on the back
• Practice relaxation techniques
• Think positive thoughts about all of your efforts
• Treat this test as a learning experience

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Take care of yourself

• Before the test
• Get enough sleep
• Eat balanced meals
• Avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks before
  the test
• Exercise
• Get some personal down time
• Just before the test
• Dont talk to friends about the test (their
  attitudes and fears could weigh you down)

8
Be organized with your study materials and your
time

• Before the test
• Keep your study paraphernalia organized
• Gather your test taking tools (pencils, paper,
  pens, etc)
• Get to the test site a little early
• Choose a seat that is located where youll be
  distracted the least
• During the test
• Pace yourself
• Immediately write down things that you are afraid
  youll forget
• Read the directions carefully
• Preview the test
• Essay questions create a short outline
• Multiple choice questions eliminate the
  obviously wrong answers
• then choose the answer that fits best
• Short answer answer only what is asked (to the
  point)
• Focus only on the exam
• skip questions that you are not sure of. Mark
  them well and come back to them later
• Recheck your answers

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References and Resources

• Devine, J., Kylen, D. (1979). How to beat test
  anxiety and score higher on your exams.
  Hauppauge, NY Barrons Educational Series, Inc.
• Mitchell, C. (1987). Math anxiety What it is and
  what to do about it. Tempe, AZ Action Press.
• Grand Valley State University, Laker Help Link.
  Dealing With Test Anxiety. Retrieved September
  20, 2006, from
• http//www.gvsu.edu/lakerhelplink/dealingwtestanxi
  ety.html
• Thomson Petersons Test Prep, Articles and
  resources. Dealing With Test Anxiety. Retrieved
  September 20, 2006, from
• http//www.petersons.com/testprepchannel/dealing_w
  ith_test_anxiety.asp
• Pennsylvania College of Technology, Academic
  Support Services. Tips for Success-Text Anxiety.
  Retrieved September 20, 2006, from
• http//www.pct.edu/academicsupport/studytips_anxie
  ty.htm
• University of Western Ontario, Student
  Development Centres Leaning Skills Services.
  Iamnext academics. Study Skill Managing Your
  Test Anxiety in College. Retrieved September 20,
  2006, from
• http//www.iamnext.com/academics/anxiety.html
• University of Alabama, Center for Teaching and
  Learning. Dealing With Test Anxiety. Retrieved
  September 20, 2006, from
• http//www.ctl.ua.edu/CTLStudyAids/StudySkillsFlye
  rs/TestPreparations/testanxiety.htm