Coping with Test Anxiety

Sound Familiar? Headaches, Sweating, Stomach aches, Rapid pulse? Panic? Freezing up? Drawing a complete mental blank? Anger and Frustration?

We will… Define test anxiety Examine the sources of test anxiety Explore techniques to eliminate test anxiety and develop strategies for… “Test success”

Test Anxiety is… Excessive Stress that occurs before or during a test.

Where does test anxiety come from? Test anxiety is learned behavior.You are not born with test anxiety. Because it is learned behavior, it can be unlearned

Four Sources of Test Anxiety 1. Being under prepared. 2. Past experiences. 3. Fear of failure. 4. Poor test-taking skills.

Recommendations Examine the different causes and… Identify and use appropriate anxiety reducing strategies.

Being under prepared The best solution is obvious, use the study strategies presented throughout workshop. Consistent, effective study strategies will make a big difference.

Past experiences For severe test anxiety based on past trauma, it is best to work with a counselor or therapist. For milder cases, try positive self talk and look for classes that have daily assignments and feedback to build self confidence. Past experiences can affect one’s belief system, self esteem and confidence. There is a belief that what has happened in the past will again.

Fear of failure Over-emphasis is placed on the importance of ONE test. 1. You feel someone else will be disappointed in you, a family member, friend or an employer. 2. You link your grades to your level of self – esteem. If you do well on the test you are a “good person” if you don’t you are a “dumb person” 3. You give the test more value in your mind then it is worth in reality.

Strategies for fear of Failure Find out exactly how much the test is really worth. Most community college courses base the final grade on a variety of things, projects, daily assignments, several tests or quizzes, papers etc… Use positive self – talk and “A+ Attitudes” to put tests in perspective.

Poor test –taking skills A student may be well prepared as far as the subject is concerned… But not know HOW to take tests. Learning how to take tests is important to Every students’ success.

Let’s learn how to take tests.