How to Reduce Test Anxiety

 Do You Have Test Anxiety?



It's completely normal to feel anxious before a test or big assignment, we all do it! Expecting success for your hard work isn't a bad thing, just as going into an assignment expecting yourself to perform well is not a bad thing. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to process and deal with their anxiety, and a small-stakes test or quiz can feel like the end of the world. The pressure and the idea of not doing well is overwhelming and, in some cases, debilitating. 

So, how do we deal with this?

Firstly, the best way to deal with test anxiety is to come prepared. There is no better path to success than being completely prepared. Knowing the materials and being confident in your knowledge of them is important for your performance level. Confidence plays a large role in performance in general- not specifically test performance. When a person goes into an activity, test, or performan
ce with confidence the outcome will look much different than if the person entered with little to no confidence. Confidence is built from practice- so practice practice practice! From landing a kick-flip on the skateboard to nailing multiplication facts for 6's, the only way to mastering it is to continuously practice. 

Making the practice fun is how I best reduce my test anxiety. If I am trying to memorize states and capitols, trying to learn all of the bones in the body, or even if I am preparing a lesson for a new unit, I try to make it fun and exciting. Turning studying or learning into a game will also cause you to retain more information as well. When we are having fun, our brains are engaged and we are able to fully process and enjoy the learning process. 




Let's Review... Here are 4 ways to reduce test anxiety

1. Be prepared- Take your time studying. Make sure you know the information. 

2. Be confident- Confidence goes a long way in test taking and other forms of performance. Knowing the materials and being confident in what you know goes a long way! 

3. Practice- Practice makes perfect. Go over the study materials and then go over them again...and again... and again! Keep practicing until you build the confidence you need! 

4. Make it fun- Making studying or practicing fun will help to reduce your anxiety, lighten the mood and help to get your practicing. Making your studying/practicing fun creates an environment of success! 


Now that we've talked about ways to reduce test anxiety, click the video below. This video has other information and ideas on test anxiety and how to overcome it. 



Still feeling anxious before a test? Click the video link below for some pre-test mediation to calm anxiety. If you need, let's do this during class this year before a test! 







Reference

10 ways to overcome test anxiety. The Princeton Review. (n.d.). Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/test-anxiety 



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