Before the test:
- Be prepared!
Learn your material thoroughly
- A program of exercise is said to sharpen the mind
- Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam
- Approach the exam with confidence:
View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you've studied and to receive a
reward for the studying you've done
- Don't go to the exam with an empty stomach
Fresh fruits and vegetables are often recommended to reduce stress.
Stressful foods can include processed foods, artificial sweeteners, carbonated soft
drinks, chocolate, eggs, fried foods, junk foods, pork, red meat, sugar, white flour
products, foods containing preservatives or heavy spices, and chips and similar snack
foods
- Take a small snack, or some other nourishment
to help take your mind off of your anxiety. Avoid high sugar content (candy)
which may aggravate your condition
- Allow yourself plenty of time,
especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little
early
- Relax just before the exam
- Don't try to do a last minute review
During the test:
- Read the directions carefully
- Budget your test taking time
- Change positions to help you relax
- If you go blank, skip the question and go on
- If you're taking an essay test
and you go blank on the whole test, pick a question and start writing. It may trigger the
answer in your mind
- Don't panic
when students start handing in their papers. There's no reward for being the first done
Check out local centers and resources in your school for assistance!
If you are aware that you have a problem with test anxiety, be sure your
teacher or instructor knows before any testing begins (and not the hour before!). There
may be other options to evaluate your knowledge or performance within the subject matter. |
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