An important step to
overcoming test anxiety is to build confidence in your academic habits. Develop
good study skills, learn to manage your time wisely, and stay organized. But
even if you have confidence in your academics, you may still experience test
anxiety before, during, and even after an exam. Below are tips on how to stay
focused and overcome your test anxiety.
Before the test:
- Be prepared.
Stay on top of the class materials and notes, and make a checklist of what you
will need to know for the test.
- Don’t rush.
Show up to the test early; running late may fluster you and make it harder to
concentrate on the exam.
- Don’t
cram.
- Get a good
night’s rest before the test.
- Avoid talking
to unprepared students right before the exam, or students with negativity that
might shake your confidence and distract your preparation.
During the test:
- Read all the
directions carefully.
- If you get
stuck on a question, skip over it and return to it later.
- Try to budget
your time.
- If you start
tensing up or becoming anxious during the test, try some relaxation
techniques—take slow, deep breaths; don’t think about fear, think about the
next step and keep on task, one step at a time; use positive reinforcement.
After the test:
- Review how you
did.
- Think about
what worked and hold onto these strategies.
- Think about
what you could have done differently and take note for improvement.
Keep an eye out for campus
workshops and discussions about test anxiety and related topics. Check out Academic Support for other relevant resources and tutoring
sessions.
If you have a history with
test anxiety, let your professor know ahead of time. There may be other testing
options available for you.
Check out the Overcoming
Test Anxiety PDF from the University of Florida.