How To Overcome Test Anxiety: Techniques For Better Performance

By Author: Sahara Education
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We all fear taking tests, and it's just ok to be nervous for some people. Test anxiety is not something you suffer only on the day of the exam; you feel it the next day, too. It affects mental health as you start doubting your confidence level and how you performed on your test.

Even though kids often face such challenges, there are ways to tackle test anxiety. Now it's time to think of some of the best test anxiety tips and techniques for better performance.

What Is Test Anxiety?

Before or during a test, people with test anxiety experience a type of performance nervousness. This worry can come from not wanting to fail, not studying enough, or having bad situations with tests in the past. You might sweat, have a fast heartbeat, get headaches, and have trouble focusing on the test if you have test nervousness.

Causes of test anxiety -

Do you feel as if you have anxiety when something is making you stressed out? The reason can be anything like an important test, a meeting, or an event at school. No matter what kind of fear you have—even test anxiety—it changes your body and mind.

The ...
... fear of failing:
It's easy to feel stressed out before a big test. Though feeling pushed to do well on the test can be inspiring sometimes, you're also afraid that failing it will reflect poorly on your character or reveal how little you're worth.

Insufficient Planning:
Some people wait until the last minute to study for tests because they think they are fully prepared and will do well. You could also choose not to study at all. In either case, this could make you nervous on the test day.

A lot of pressure:
We always feel stressed when we know we need a certain grade to pass the exam or get a job. This makes the kids more anxious about their tests.

Exams with a Bad Past:
Kids always feel stressed if they don't do their last paper well. This will affect their next exam making them more anxious. So, it's better to focus on something other than what is done and to focus on the next exam.

Why test nervousness happens in the body:
Whenever one feels stressed, the body tends to create a chemical called adrenaline. It is a hormone that causes reactions such as fight - or- flight", which means it tries to prepare the body for stress. One should decide to either deal with the stress or leave it.

Psychiatric reasons for test anxiety:
There are mental reasons for test anxiety as well as biological ones. One reason is having high hopes. Take the example of a student who knows they will do poorly on a test. This student will likely start to feel anxious before and during the test.

Having test anxiety in the past is another mental cause of test anxiety. When you've had test nervousness before, you might be afraid that it will happen again the next time you have to take an important test.

Tips for Test Anxiety-

Getting over test nervousness can be challenging, but it's an essential step toward having a better test-taking experience. So that you can get over your test anxiety, we've compiled a list of the 15 best test anxiety tips.

Start getting ready early:
Don't wait until the last minute to study for your test; start looking early to avoid stress. Set aside time to learn every day beginning a week or two before the test.

Make a plan to study:
To do well on a test, you should make a study plan. Setting aside time to study every day and writing down what you'll learn are things a study plan can help you do. From the day you start learning until the day of the test, make a study plan and stick to it.

Find out how to study:
No matter how sure you understand this, you can always find more information on how to study better. There may be study skills classes or other tools at your school that can help you learn how to look well to feel good about yourself and pass that test.

Always have a good attitude:
Remember that how you did on a test does not affect how much you value yourself. Stay upbeat and tell yourself repeatedly that you're capable of and will perform well on the test. You can do very well if you believe in yourself and stay in a good mood when studying and taking the test.

Read very carefully:
Whatever your test nervousness is, this is important for all of them. Before you start the test, make sure you carefully read the directions. Then, read each question and answer before you choose an answer. You might miss something important that could help you pick the correct answer if you don't read everything carefully.

Always take practice tests:
You can be sure you are fully prepared for your test by taking practice tests. You can see what the test will be like, such as how many questions it will have and what kinds of questions you can expect. Also, you'll better understand what you need more work on.

Sleep well:
You should get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before an important test. A good night's sleep can help you remember things and focus better. It can also make you feel refreshed and ready to take that test the next day.

Begin with what you already know:
Starting with the first question when you take the test is unnecessary. Get started with the ones you already know. Avoid wasting time trying to solve that one question that is stumping you. Please don't read it; move on to the next one you already know. When you have time, try to answer the questions you missed.

Flashcards can help:
When you're studying for a test, flashcards are another great tool. When you learn, you can break up the information into smaller pieces instead of going through a long list of ideas. You can concentrate on one idea at a time like words in your vocabulary or facts you know you'll need on the test.

Arrive early on exam day:
Since you're behind schedule, you don't want to rush. Being stressed out because you're running late for the test will only make it worse when you take it. Arrive a little early at the test spot. If you're feeling anxious, take a walk around the building. Making yourself move can help you feel better by getting rid of some of that stress energy and getting your blood moving.

Don't forget to eat and drink:
During the exam time do not forget to eat and drink. Make sure you eat good food before the exams and also during the exam time. See that you avoid caffeinated drinks, high-sugar drinks, etc.

Pay close attention:
We often think about our test one week before and feel anxious about how well we will do. So, do not do that, just think of the test on the day itself. It will help to reduce stress in your mind and body. Also, don't think about how the other people are doing. Pay full attention to your test.

Wear loose clothes:
You should dress appropriately but also wear something that is comfortable and lets you unwind. Don't wear clothes that are too tight or that you will always have to fix. Bring a light jacket or jumper if the test room is cold.

If you need to, take a break:
Take a short break if you think your test nervousness is getting too bad. To cool down, close your eyes and take ten deep breaths. Then, focus on the test again.

Try not to be distracted:
Feel free to disregard the person in front of or next to you who may be finishing their test twice as quickly. If you can, sit in the front of the room so no one else can bother you. Then, concentrate on your test.

You can get over-tested nervousness in several ways. Making sure you're ready and getting enough sleep before the test are two of the best ways to overcome test nervousness. We at Sahara Education Institute in Dubai can help you with the best test courses and guidance.