25 Managing Test Anxiety

Test-taking can be a stressful experience.

Managing test anxiety starts by creating and following good habits throughout the term, and in the weeks leading up to the test. It also involves avoiding bad habits like cramming at the last minute, relying solely on memorization, and not prioritizing your mental and physical health.

What can you do on Exam Day to Manage any Jitters

1. Be well rested and avoid drinking too much coffee.
2. Arrive early and take a moment to relax.
3. Avoid distractions including sitting near anything or anyone that distracts you.
4. Listen to and/or read instructions carefully. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand the directions.
5. As soon as the test begins, do a memory dump. Write down any relevant formulae or concepts.
6. Before you start answerig, if you can, read the entire test so you know what to expect and take note of the point value of each section.
7. Do the easiest questions first then go back to the harder questions. This will help increase your confidence and may trigger your memory for other answers.
8. If you find yourself beginning to panic, or feeling anxious, pause and take some deep breaths and exhale slowly.
9. Focus on the questions by underlining key words in each question.
10. Take your time and don’t race through the test.
11. Use any extra time to check for errors, re-visit difficult questions, and proofread for grammar and spelling. Make sure you answered all the questions.
12. Don’t change answers unless you’re absolutely sure that you’ve made a mistake. Your first response is likely to be correct and second-guessing can lead to lower scores.