Test/exam anxiety is a huge issue for many students in both high school and university. Test anxiety is defined as a combination of physiological over-arousal, tension and somatic symptoms, along with worry, dread, fear of failure, and catastrophizing, that occur before or during test situations.
The overwhelming feeling of dread or fear of failure whilst writing an evaluation can severely impact your performance, leading to a poor final grade.
Below are some of the best tips and steps to take to help overcome your test anxiety.
1. Plan Ahead
Take note of test dates and give yourself time to mentally prepare, and plan a study schedule.
Mapping out a plan will reduce overall stress.
2. Know What to Expect
Ask your teacher/professor what the format of the test will be, and use that info to get an idea of what study topic to focus on.
3. BE PREPARED
The worst test anxiety takes place when you are unprepared for an evaluation. Not knowing the answer to a particular question can throw you off completely and prevent you from doing your best on the rest of the test. Make sure to thoroughly study and continuously review over notes during the week leading up to a test/exam. Actually knowing the content on an evaluation greatly reduces any stress and ensures a high mark.
4. Identify Why you Have Test Anxiety
Figure out the reason you have test anxiety, and replace the negative thoughts with positive ones. Example: if you failed the previous test, that may be creating a great amount of anxiety going into the next evaluation. Mentally preparing yourself by disregarding the fact that you failed, and not letting that effect your studying and preparation, will allow for the best performance and confidence writing a test.
5. Start With What You Know
Many teachers and tutors often recommend that while writing a test, start with the questions that you actually know the answers to. You don't need to answer the questions in order, and you don't need to start at #1. Doing the answers you know first prevents getting yourself in a panic trying to come up with an answer.
Thanks for reading, hopefully these tips can help people overcome their test anxiety!