Dealing with Test Anxiety Effectively

• Test Anxiety can involve physical symptoms, such as sweating, stomach pains, feelings of nervousness, negative self-talk.
• Test Anxiety can cause you to forget everything you have learned, only to remember it when you turn in the test.
• Test Anxiety is a learned response.
• Causes of test anxiety include
  • The students does not want to disappoint high expectations from teachers or parents.
  • The student identifies grades with his/her sense of self-worth.
  • The student feels a lack of control.
• Test Anxiety can be unlearned.
  • Practice relaxation techniques throughout the semester. Apply them before the test.
  • Study daily to be well prepared. This will increase your feelings of control.
  • Take practice tests. Simulate test conditions.
  • Watch your negative self-talk. Set positive self-talk against it.
• There are many good books about dealing with test anxiety. Two books specifically for math are:
  • Cynthia Arem, Conquering Math Anxiety
  • Sheila Tobias, Overcoming Math Anxiety