Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is an inordinate or extremely elevated amount of anxiety about taking a test. Most of us experience, at one time or another, anxiety about taking a test. This is healthy and normal. If you spend quite a bit of time worrying or can’t get your mind off the test, you might be experiencing test anxiety. Test anxiety is an unneeded and unwelcome addition to the pressure to do well on the exam.
Some of the symptoms of test anxiety include: difficulty concentrating, negative and self defeating thoughts, racing thoughts, mental blank out, and not being able to recall answers during the exam, but easily being able to come up with them after the test. You may also experience: nausea, cramps, sweating, headaches, increased heart and breathing rates, and dry mouth.
To best deal with test anxiety, there are some steps that you can take to not only better prepare for the exam, which can greatly reduce your anxiety level to begin with, but to also approach the exam in a more positive light, and better deal with any anxiety that does occur during your exam.
The development of effective study habits is of utmost importance. Organization and break down of material to be studied, and time management are essential to properly prepare and enable you to confidently approach your test, greatly lowering your test anxiety. Ensure that you are well prepared for the exam.
Do not go to the text tired or hungry. Make sure you get plenty of rest to help ward off test anxiety, and be sure to eat ahead of time. Get to your exam in a timely fashion, and give yourself plenty of time for each question or problem. Avoid second guessing yourself, wishing you had prepared more, or thinking you are going to fail. Try to relax and be confident.
During your test, read the instructions completely and make sure you understand them. Budget your time and make sure you have enough time to answer all of the questions. If you come on a question and you are not sure of the answer, move on and then come back to it. Don’t panic, and don’t let events in the room, such as noises, or others turning in their exams bother you.
If you do experience anxiety during your exam, try to relax. Realize that you are in control. Take slow deep breaths, and don’t concentrate on any panic or anxiety you are experiencing. Test anxitey can be a habit. Realize where you are in the testing process, and take the next steps required to complete it.
For more information on how to stop anxiety, visit Stop Panic Attacks.