Reducing Test Taking Anxiety

ReducingTest Taking Anxiety

Test anxiety is when a studentexcessively worries about doing well on a test. This can

become a major hindrance on testperformance and cause extreme nervousness and memory

lapses among other symptoms. Thefollowing are tips on reducing test taking anxiety.

ü  Being wellprepared for the test is the best way to reduce test taking anxiety.

ü  Space out yourstudying over a few days or weeks and continually review class material.

Don't try tolearn everything the night before.

ü  Try to maintaina positive attitude while preparing for the test and during the test.

ü  Exercising for afew days before the test will help reduce stress.

ü  Get a goodnight's sleep before the test.

ü  Show up to classearly so you won't have to worry about being late.

ü  Stay relaxed, ifyou begin to get nervous take a few deep breaths slowly to relax yourself

and then getback to work.

ü  Read thedirections slowly and carefully.

ü  If you don'tunderstand the directions on the test, ask the teacher to explain it to you.

ü  Skim through thetest so that you have a good idea how to pace yourself.

ü  Write downimportant formulas, facts, definitions and/or keywords in the margin first so

you won't worryabout forgetting them.

ü  Do the simplequestions first to help build up your confidence for the harder questions.

ü  Don't worryabout how fast other people finish their test; just concentrate on your own

test.

ü  If you don'tknow an answer to a question skip it for the time being (come back to it later

if you havetime), and remember that you don't have to always get every question right todo

well on thetest.

ü  Focus on thequestion at hand. Don't let your mind wander on other things.

ü  If you're stillexperiencing extreme test anxiety after following these tips, seek help from

your school counselor.

Visit TestTakingTips.com for more test taking help.