Every student needs some tips for dealing with test anxiety. Have you ever seen a classmate breeze through that tough AP exam without breaking a sweat? Maybe they have superhuman powers or maybe they are just following some tried-and-true testing tips. Testing anxiety can bring even the best student to their knees with the crippling fear of failure. There are ways to alleviate test taking anxiety and you should try them the next time you have a big exam looming. Your GPA will thank you. Here are some tips for dealing with test anxiety.
While it is best to be as prepared as possible, it is best to prepare in a way that is productive and structured. Allowing for small, frequent study times is best when a large test looms in the all-to-near future. Concentrate on areas that your instructor has emphasized throughout the course. If you have a problem keeping to a study schedule find one of many study apps for your phone or tablet that will nudge you to keep with it. Procrastination can be overcome with willpower and that's one of the best tips for dealing with test anxiety.
Get to class or your testing location with enough time to relax and reflect on the test ahead. If allowed, review your notes. Giving yourself time to ease into the test this way is a great alternative to jumping right into a test in a rush. Before you get to your class or location, avoid stressful situations and relax as much as you can.
Once the test has started, listen to instructions and read all the instructions with care. The test may include multiple choice questions that can have more than one answer, or an essay question could have a list of key points and you only must touch on a limited number in your answer. The few seconds you save from skipping instructions isn’t worth the few points that you could miss as a result.
Don’t let testing get you all bent out of shape. Try to remain calm and answer what you can and skip what you can’t. If there is time, you can come back to it. Maybe another question later will jog your memory. If you can keep from it don’t guess. Stay positive and if you have studied it will be easier to do so. Try not to change your answer from second-guessing because this can lead to more harm than good. Stick with your first impressions.
It has been shown that having a mid-test peppermint or chewing peppermint gum can have a positive effect on test scores. Peppermint is used to remedy such symptoms as nervousness, insomnia, headaches, and tension. It seems that it is effective on test anxiety too!