Test Anxiety
The emotion of anxiety interferes with recalling and processing information. Learning how to better work with anxiety can help when studying for and taking tests.
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If your anxiety is more than you can handle, contact the Counseling Center at:
304-534-7878 or access@pierpont.edu
Test anxiety sometimes happens when you sit down to take the test. Other times, it can happen the night before. Preparing for the test and the anxiety is key!
Before the test
During the test
Avoid thinking you need to cram just before the test.
Don't panic when students start handing in their papers. There's no reward for finishing first.
Use relaxation techniques if you find yourself tensing and getting anxious during the test:
- Relax; you are in control.
- Take slow, deep breaths
- Don't think about the fear
- Pause: think about the next step and keep on task, step by step
- Use positive reinforcement for yourself:
- Acknowledge that you have done, and are doing, your best
- Expect some anxiety
- It's a reminder that you want to do your best and can provide energy
- Just keep it manageable
- Realize that anxiety can be a "habit" and that it takes practice to use it as a tool to succeed
After the test
Review how you did
List what worked, and hold onto these strategies
It does not matter how small the items are: they are building blocks to success
List what did not work for improvement
Celebrate that you are on the road to overcoming this obstacle
More Information - Diving Deeper Videos
Greg and Mitch's 7 Tips to Beat Exam Anxiety Video
Graduate Project Barry's Mindfulness Meditation for Test Anxiety Video
Paul Devoto's Test-Taking Strategies 4 (of 12): Staying Relaxed Video
College Info Geek's How to Beat Test Anxiety and Take on Exams Without Stress Video