Test anxiety: the emotional reactions that some students have to exams Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Test Anxiety Test anxiety: the emotional reactions that some students have to exams

Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety The fear of exams is NOT an irrational fear—after all, how you perform on the SAT or college exams can shape the course of your academic career.

Test Anxiety However, excessive fear of exams interferes with your ability to be successful in college. Consider the above info RED Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety

There are three components of test anxiety Physical component—typical body reactions: knot in stomach, nausea, butterflies in the stomach, wet and trembling hands, pounding heart, etc. 2. Emotional component: fear or panic: “I come completely unglued.” Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety

There are three components of test anxiety 3. Mental or cognitive components—problems with attention and memory as well as worry: “My mind jumps from one thing to another” and (worry) “I’m certain to fail.” Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety

Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Here are two techniques offered by the Student Counseling Center at the University of Texas at Dallas. Technique 1: Loosen up and relax It is possible for students to learn how to relax on cue, so that anxiety can be controlled during the exam. Learning how to relax is fairly simple, but you need to practice it beforehand.

Test Anxiety Get comfortable in your chair-- even slouch down Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Test Anxiety I’m going to flunk the test; I hate that Simoncini; I hate that JERK Simoncini. Sabrina needs to lighten up and relax. She should follow these steps. Get comfortable in your chair-- even slouch down if that helps Tighten, then relax different muscle groups of your body, one group at a time—start with your feet, then move up your body to your neck and face.

Test Anxiety Third, begin breathing slowly and deeply Look how Sabrina has started to relax. She should next follow these additional steps. Third, begin breathing slowly and deeply Focus your attention on your breath going in and out Each time your breathe out, say “relax” to yourself

Test Anxiety Here is the second technique. Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Test Anxiety Here is the second technique. Focus is on reducing the negative and worrisome thoughts that provoke the anxiety Students who are anxious about tests tend to say things to themselves that are negative or exaggerated. This test will be hecka hard—no way I can pass.

Test Anxiety Research shows that test anxiety Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Test Anxiety Research shows that test anxiety can be reduced if negative thoughts can be replaced by constructive thoughts. OK—I knew most of the Jeopardy questions, and I studied for two hours, and Simoncini is a fair teacher; so HEY, I can pass this thing. But to make such a replacement, you must first become aware of your own thoughts, then replace them with constructive thoughts.

Test Anxiety Test anxiety can be blamed for poor performance Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Test Anxiety Test anxiety can be blamed for poor performance sometimes; but other times is the cause of your poor performance simply because you are not well-prepared? On the next slide we shall offer some suggestions to help you be best prepared for tests.

Test Anxiety Develop effective study and test preparation skills. First, discuss the test with your teacher and class- mates. Develop effective study and test preparation skills. Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety

Test Anxiety Spread your review over several days rather than cramming Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Test Anxiety Spread your review over several days rather than cramming Intensive review should be done a few days before the test Review from your textbook, your notes and homework Psych Notes Freud Is Weird

Test Anxiety Use 3x5 cards for learning specific concepts or formulas Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Test Anxiety Use 3x5 cards for learning specific concepts or formulas Take a practice test under exam-like conditions Maintain a regular exercise program Get sufficient rest

Students will explain the causes and controls of test anxiety Now, here are some tips to avoid anxiety while you are taking the test. Read directions carefully Budget your time Change body positions to help you relax If you go blank, skip the question and go on On an essay test, if you go blank on the whole test, pick a question and start writing Don’t panic when early finishers start handing- in their tests.