Test Anxiety Don Buckley, MA

Test Anxiety Basic Human Emotion Basic Human Emotion Fear & Uncertainty Fear & Uncertainty Threat to their ego or self esteem Threat to their ego or self esteem Test Anxiety Test Anxiety Mental Noise or Static Mental Noise or Static Blocks ability to remember, comprehend or reason Blocks ability to remember, comprehend or reason Many have cognitive ability Many have cognitive ability Fail because of anxiety Fail because of anxiety

Characteristics of Test Anxiety Lack Self Confidence Lack Self Confidence Preoccupied with negative thoughts Preoccupied with negative thoughts Doubt academic ability Doubt academic ability Overemphasize negative results Overemphasize negative results Feel helpless in testing situations Feel helpless in testing situations Negative thoughts Negative thoughts I know I’m going to fail I know I’m going to fail Everyone knows I’m stupid Everyone knows I’m stupid

Characteristics of Test Anxiety Physiological Reactions Physiological Reactions Increased heart rate Increased heart rate Feeling nauseated Feeling nauseated Frequent urination Frequent urination Increased perspiration Increased perspiration Cold hands Cold hands Dry mouth Dry mouth Muscle Spasms Muscle Spasms

Characteristics of Test Anxiety Emotions Emotions Worry Worry Fear of failure Fear of failure Panic Panic Students Manifest Anxiety by Students Manifest Anxiety by Procrastinating Procrastinating Poor test taking skills Poor test taking skills Ineffective study habits Ineffective study habits

Characteristics of Test Anxiety Students Manifest Anxiety by Students Manifest Anxiety by Physically feel tired or exhausted during testing due to poor eating, exercise and sleeping habits Physically feel tired or exhausted during testing due to poor eating, exercise and sleeping habits Signs of Test Anxiety Signs of Test Anxiety Mental blank-outs Mental blank-outs Racing thoughts Racing thoughts Difficulty concentrating Difficulty concentrating Negative thoughts Negative thoughts

Characteristics of Test Anxiety Additional Signs of Test Anxiety Additional Signs of Test Anxiety Know the answers after the test Know the answers after the test Trouble sleeping before the exam Trouble sleeping before the exam Fall asleep worrying about the test Fall asleep worrying about the test Feels sense of hopelessness Feels sense of hopelessness Feels bored or tired while testing Feels bored or tired while testing Confused or panics during exam Confused or panics during exam Experiences a headache during exam Experiences a headache during exam Pretends exam was meaningless Pretends exam was meaningless Angry or depressed after exam Angry or depressed after exam

Suggestions to Overcome Test Anxiety Frequent practice tests Frequent practice tests Work on test taking techniques Work on test taking techniques Teachers encourage anxiety reduction techniques Teachers encourage anxiety reduction techniques Teachers discuss time management and test formats Teachers discuss time management and test formats Teachers use standardized tests Teachers use standardized tests Counselors discuss test anxiety Counselors discuss test anxiety

Suggestions to Overcome Test Anxiety Have students who defeated their test anxiety speak to students Have students who defeated their test anxiety speak to students Practice relaxation techniques Practice relaxation techniques Parents have students attend school regularly Parents have students attend school regularly Students avoid cramming Students avoid cramming Students avoid conversations with students who express negative behaviors & habits Students avoid conversations with students who express negative behaviors & habits

Suggestions to Overcome Test Anxiety Not test on an empty stomach Not test on an empty stomach Wear comfortable clothes during testing Wear comfortable clothes during testing Counter negative thoughts Counter negative thoughts I always do poorly – I’m better prepared this time I always do poorly – I’m better prepared this time I won’t pass – I’m going to pass I won’t pass – I’m going to pass I am ready for this test – bring it on! I am ready for this test – bring it on!

Test Taking Skills to Minimize Anxiety Before beginning the test Before beginning the test Preview the test Preview the test Do mind dump Do mind dump Make notes of anything they may forget or notes from practice Make notes of anything they may forget or notes from practice Taking a Test in General Taking a Test in General Read the directions Read the directions Answer easy questions first Answer easy questions first Answer all the questions – guess Answer all the questions – guess Circle key words Circle key words Rephrase difficult questions Rephrase difficult questions

Test Taking Skills to Minimize Anxiety Taking a Math & Science Problem-based test Taking a Math & Science Problem-based test Translate problems into English Translate problems into English Perform opposite operations Perform opposite operations Use Time Drills Use Time Drills Analyze before they compute Analyze before they compute Make a picture Make a picture Review formulas before the test Review formulas before the test

Test Taking Skills to Minimize Anxiety Taking a Math & Science Problem-based test Taking a Math & Science Problem-based test Always read the problem Always read the problem Estimate the answer Estimate the answer Look at the problem as another example of one you’ve already solved or studied Look at the problem as another example of one you’ve already solved or studied Look for careless errors Look for careless errors

Taking Multiple Choice Exams Anticipate the answer Anticipate the answer Read all the choices Read all the choices Eliminate implausible answers Eliminate implausible answers Pay attention to extreme words Pay attention to extreme words Always, never, only, must and completely Always, never, only, must and completely Do not linger on one question Do not linger on one question Pay attention to negative words Pay attention to negative words Not or least Not or least

Taking Multiple Choice Exams Check for qualifying words Check for qualifying words All, most, some, none, always, usually, seldom, never, best, worst, smallest or largest All, most, some, none, always, usually, seldom, never, best, worst, smallest or largest Remember to have fun Remember to have fun