The document provides information and tips on overcoming test anxiety. It discusses recognizing symptoms of true test anxiety, preparing adequately for the test, managing negative thoughts, getting proper rest and nutrition, and using positive self-talk. Key advice includes studying over time instead of cramming, getting clarity on test format and topics from the teacher, visualizing success, and focusing on one's own preparation and performance instead of others.

1. Overcoming Test Anxiety
February 17, 2010

2. Test Anxiety
Most people experience some form of
anxiety or nervousness when facing a
stressful situation. The stress is good
and helps us to perform at our best!
However, if you get too nervous and you
don’t know how to handle it then it
could interfere with your test
preparation and test performance.
2

3. Symptoms of True Test Anxiety
When you know you have adequately prepared for an exam
and you experience one or more of the following (this is
not an all-inclusive list):
• Upset stomach
• Sweating
• Headache
• Rapid heart beat
• Tense muscles
• Racing thoughts
• Trouble following otherwise easy directions or easy
questions
• Emotionally distraught—cry easily, irritable, frustrated
easily
• Blanking out on answers to questions that you have learned
3

4. What isn’t Test Anxiety?
*When you haven’t adequately
prepared and are feeling nervous
about the test.
True test anxiety occurs when you
have studied and done everything you
could to be prepared!!!
4

5. Overcoming Test Anxiety- Ways to
Prepare for a Test
Be prepared:
 Study over a period of time—DO NOT
CRAM!
 Know when your tests are scheduled
 Review notes and other materials daily
 Ask the teacher for a study guide
 Ask the teacher what kind of questions will be
on the test
 Talk to other students who have had the class
before
 Have someone quiz you on the material
5

6. Overcoming Test Anxiety- Ways to
Tackle Negative Thoughts
Be Positive:
Visualize yourself doing well on
the test
Tell yourself you are going to do
well and believe it!
Consider this: In the past,
what were the results of you
visualizing doing poorly on a
test?!? 6

7. Turning Negatives into Positives
Negative Thought Positive Thought
• I’m a failure if I don’t pass • I’m going to pass, but if I
this test don’t it is not the end of
the world
• There is an impossible • I don’t have to know
amount of information for everything, but I do need
me to learn enough to pass the test
• I always do poorly on • I’ve got a good study plan
tests and I’m going to stick with
it
7

8. Turning Negatives into Positives-Your Turn
Negative Thought Positive Thought
8

9. Overcoming Test Anxiety- Ways to
Prepare for a Test
Get a good night’s sleep and eat
before the test
* Sleep rejuvenates the brain
* Eating nourishes the brain
and you won’t be
embarrassed by your
stomach growling in
the middle of the test
9

10. Other Tips
 Take advantage of DeVry’s FREE tutoring service
 Breathe
 Don’t make plans within 30 minutes after testing—
that way you can concentrate on the test not on the
time
 Don’t talk to other students about how hard the test
is going to be
 As soon as you get the test, purge your brain and
write down any misc. tidbits that might help you on
the test
 Don’t stress over one question. If it’s giving you
trouble move on and come back to it.
10

11. Other Tips
 Review your test before turning it in. Then change
answers that are clearly wrong. Don’t try to second
guess yourself.
 Don’t let people who are turning in their tests before
you stress you out. Worry about you and only you.
 If OK with your teacher, during the test get up and
stretch or move around.
 Breathe
 THINK POSITIVELY!!
11