test prep
taming test anxiety
TAMING TEST
ANXIETY
By Brittany Hamilton
Test anxiety: the sneaky little monster that suffocates students
with its merciless grasp. The fear of academic testing itself, this
debilitating issue often causes a significant decrease in testing
scores, regardless of the student’s intellect or study time. Students
sometimes even blank-out during the exam, instantly forgetting
previously retained information. Here are six helpful tips to raise test
scores and lower anxiety:
S
tay Positive. Fear of failure brings unwanted results.
Helping your student maintain a positive outlook not only
affects the mood and thinking process but performance levels
in daily activities.
T
alk It Out. Be an active part of your students’ academic
A
void All-Nighters. Don’t allow your students to
lives. Tell them that they can always turn to you for help.
Encourage them as much as possible.
study all night and skip meals. Such tendencies can prove
detrimental to their testing performance. Energy=Focus
P
rocrastination is the Enemy. Anxiety can easily
R
equest to Test Elsewhere. Some schools allow
arise from a lack of preparation. Make sure that your student
doesn’t wait until the last minute to study.
students with test anxiety to take their exams in a private
room without distractions and time restrictions. A calmer
environment can make testing more comfortable.
tudy, Study, Study! Help your students study before
S
the test. 10 or even 15 extra minutes of prep time can raise
confidence levels and test scores. Frequent breaks are also
important. A balance between work and rest is key.
CHEAT SHEET
STANDARDIZED TEST TIPS FOR STUDENTS:
• Be prepared. Don’t forget to bring your I.D., printed test
ticket and calculator.
• Arrive early! Punctuality is important.
• Write your answers on the actual test before filling out the
scantron sheet. This method saves extra time.
• Skip the tricky questions and return to them later.
This method also saves time and can lessen stress.
10
EXPER
OPINI T
ON
We asked Monica Virgil at Mathnasium to share
her thoughts on test anxiety.
1. What do you think causes test anxiety in
most students? Test anxiety stems from lack of
confidence. Individuals experience anxiety when they feel
that their ability does not meet the requirements needed
to succeed at a given task. This feeling can be imagined or
real. Either way, it causes the brain to shut down and not
perform even if it has the ability to perform.
2. Have you ever come across a student with
this anxiety? I have worked with many students
with math anxiety or test anxiety. At Mathnasium, we
are very successful at building a student’s confidence
after just a few visits and eliminating math anxiety. Their
test scores increase pretty quickly after a few short visits.
Giving individuals the opportunity to succeed and the
encouragment they need can do wonders.
3. How can you tell the difference
between testing anxiety based on fear
and testing anxiety based on a learning
disability? Learning is never disabled, but it can be
delayed. It is true that some students learn slower than
others due to inability to memorize and make necessary
connections to retain concepts. Empowering students
with the ability to retain material by teaching them how
to make necessary connections can set any student up for
success.
4. How can parents help their students
overcome test anxiety? It is always beneficial
to know how your child learns since every child does
not learn the same way. Figuring out their mode(s) of
learning and empowering them with that information is a
great start.
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