Expectations or thoughts about what is likely to happen create anxiety.  If you say negative things to yourself about your abilities, it produces a corresponding negative emotional reaction…ANXIETY.  The anxiety will disable you from actually doing well.  Having positive expectations, however, on how you will perform on an exam may neutralize most of the anxiety.  Remember that a small amount of anxiety is helpful for performing well.  It is what motivates and energizes you.  Poor performance is frequently a lack of preparedness for a test rather than classic test anxiety.  However, if several symptoms of Test Anxiety are present, you may be experiencing the real thing: 

_{MENTAL BLOCK}

Forgetting information that you previously learned and were able to recite or recall before entering the test situation.

_{FREEZE UP}

A person may find the words meaningless while reading test questions.  A less severe version of this symptom is the need to reread test questions several times in order to comprehend them.

_PANIC

One feeling that is a common symptom is worry over your performance. It is also evident in being easily distracted during the exam, and plotting ways to escape from the test.

_{PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT}

Nausea, rapid pulse, beads of sweat, muscle tension, and dry mouth

_{DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING}

The mind begins to wander, daydream, or seem to go blank

_{“DON’T CARE” ATTITUDE}

A person may worry so much about failing the exam that by test time the attitude changes.  Feeling that failure is eminent, the person stops caring and answers carelessly.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR STUDYING ON A REGULAR BASIS.  STUDENTS DO BEST WHEN THEY DEVELOP GOOD STUDY HABITS AND TEST PREPARATION:

• Get sufficient rest the night before the test.

• Don’t study immediately prior to test.  Relax.

• Avoid talking to other students before you begin, anxiety is contagious.

• Get emotionally ready with positive self-talk.

• Tense and relax muscles and breathe deeply a few times.

• Regard a temporary lapse of memory as normal… don’t panic.

• Keep moving instead of getting stuck on one question.

• Do not be disturbed by others finishing before you.  USE ALL OF YOUR TIME.

If your performance is affected by Test Anxiety and you cannot find relief with these tips, it may be in your best interest to contact the Counseling Center.  We can work with you to develop good study habits, teach test preparation, and assist you in reducing anxiety.