Study tips for students with test anxiety Are you familiar with this scenario? You have put in a lot of effort studying for your chemistry midterm, but when you get to the exam, your mind is blank. You feel a pit in your stomach and palms that are sweaty as you sit down to begin your exam.
Your grades and test scores may not accurately reflect your true abilities if you exhibit any of these recognizable symptoms of test anxiety. Learn how to deal with anxiety about tests before and during stressful tests.
Study tips for students with test anxiety Although feeling a little anxious before a test is completely normal, some students find test anxiety to be crippling. Physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, headache, or nausea can be combined with racing thoughts, inability to concentrate, or feelings of dread.
Whether it’s the Demonstration, an AP test, or a significant history last, test tension has the ability to wreck long stretches of time of difficult work.
Study tips for students with test anxiety List
- Be prepared
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Fuel up
- Get to class—or the testing site—early
- Have a positive mental attitude
- Read carefully
- Just start
- Don’t pay attention to what other people are doing
- Watch the clock
- Focus on calm breathing and positive thoughts
Be prepared
This may seem obvious, but it needs to be said again. You will feel more confident going into the test if you are sure that you have prepared thoroughly. Need help understanding difficult concepts or types of questions?
Study tips for students with test anxiety The Princeton Review’s experts in test preparation can give you that extra boost you need to feel calm and collected.
Get a good night’s sleep
Cramming is never a good idea, and working all night can make your nerves worse. It is likely to be more beneficial to get nine to ten hours of sleep each night than to reread a text until dawn. However, if you are up late studying and have a question, our on-demand tutors are here to help.)
Fuel up
Study tips for students with test anxiety Before the test, eat a healthy breakfast and bring smart snacks to keep you going. Instead of foods that give you a sugar rush followed by a crash, look for ones that give you a steady supply of nutrients.
Get to class—or the testing site—early
The anxiety will only get worse if you feel rushed. Set an alarm the night before the exam and pack everything you need for it so you can leave on time.
Have a positive mental attitude
Bring a picture of your happy place or a motivational mantra such as “I can do this” or “I worked hard and deserve this.” Just before the test begins, look at your picture or say your mantra.
Read carefully
Study tips for students with test anxiety Before making a decision or beginning the essay, read all of the answers and the directions thoroughly. Nothing is worse than spending time on a question only to discover that you are not solving for x or that the essay is off course. You can focus better if you slow down.
Just start
Study tips for students with test anxiety The clear page can boost your uneasiness. After you’ve perused the headings, make a plunge by making a layout for an exposition reply. Or, to boost your self-assurance and momentum, choose some questions you can answer well. If necessary, you can always go back and change things, but a few quick responses can get the conversation started.
Don’t pay attention to what other people are doing
Who else is jotting down notes? Ack! What are they aware of that you are not? It matters not. Focus solely on your own test and pace, ignoring other students in the room.
Watch the clock
Study tips for students with test anxiety It can be difficult to do anything useful in those final minutes when you realize that the time is almost up and there are a lot of remaining test questions. Before beginning, scope out the entire test to keep pace.
Study tips for students with test anxiety Determine in your mind how much time you will devote to each section. Better still if you have time to double-check.
Focus on calm breathing and positive thoughts
Practice these techniques at home because deep breathing can slow a racing heart or mind. Concentrating on one’s breathing and thinking can biometrically alter these feelings of anxiety.
Study tips for students with test anxiety It can sometimes be easier to handle test-taking anxiety by remembering that it is a normal part of school. Try a session with an online tutor if you need to boost your confidence. From PhDs and Ivy Leaguers to specialists and educators, our mentors are specialists in their fields, and they know how to keep your nervousness under control.