1. “Reducing Exam Anxiety & Stress”
Mercer University
Academic Resource Center
Exam Preparation
and Performance
“Reducing Exam Anxiety & Stress”

2. When Do You Start Studying for an Exam?
On the first day of class!
How?
Read your course outline/syllabus with a fine tooth comb
Write in your exam schedule on your semester planner
Stay on top of your coursework from that day forward

3. Never Stop Studying for the Exam
Do all your work thinking about how you can make it easier to study for your tests and final exams
Design your notes so that they can easily be reduced into useful study summaries
Listen in class so you know exactly what will be on the test
Take time to generate questions that will help you recite and reflect on the material to be tested

4. Creating a Study Environment
Put your desk against the wall so that you face a wall when you study to decrease distractions.
Put all pictures, mementos, and decorations on the other side of the room so that they don't distract you from your work.
Don't use your desk for anything but studying; by the same token, don't use your bed for studying— establishing habits will make concentration easier.
Only use your computer for assignments that you have to. If your computer has to be on, but you don't need the internet, unplug the connector and/or disable your wireless.
Turn off the ringer on your phone(s) and turn down the volume on the answering machine.
Establish times with your roommates/family members for studying to ensure peace and quiet.
Turn off the television or stereo— only listen to light, familiar music if you need background noise.
Study in a well-lit area.
If people are too loud for you to concentrate, try asking them to be quieter

5. Creating and Using Note Cards
When note cards are a good idea
when you are a visual learner
when you will be given an objective test

6. Creating and Using Note Cards
Using them the right way
frequently shuffle the cards to keep from learning them in order
use only one concept per card- they aren’t designed to hold more
use your own words- by putting concepts in your own words, you’re actively learning while you create them
take out the ones you know until the final review- don’t waste your time studying things you already know

7. Use Cornell Method Notes and Follow these Study Steps:
Record – make notes legible and complete
Reduce – write questions, cues, and vocabulary in cue column
Recite – test self with verbal or written exercises based on cue column and summary
Reflect – expand and analyze implications; generate searching questions
Review – utilize summary to locate selected topics for repetitive recitation

8. Recitation as a Rehearsal Strategy
Steps
Read
Convert to a question
Test
Benefits
Involved
Feedback
Motivation
Distinctions
More than re-reading
Cultivates recall over and above simple recognition

9. Create Summary Sheets that:
Fold over to display questions and cover up answers (or use index cards) – repetition and recitation
Focus on summaries, and some cue questions - reduction
Relate to questions that are of particular interest to you – reflection
Motivation
Conceptual organization
topical
categorical

10. Visual Organizers Use your own words and representations
Organize to reduce information to a manageable amount without losing conceptual depth
Prepare tools for rehearsal strategies
CARDS
Concept maps and charts
Compare/contrast charts
Flow Charts
Fishbone diagrams
Venn diagrams
Time lines
Word maps
Color coded notes

11. Memorization Techniques
Association – link new information to prior knowledge or experiences
Rehearsal – use different learning modalities
Relevance – make the information meaningful to your personal beliefs or to a broader understanding of the course
Mnemonics – if you are an auditory learner, use songs instead of simple lists or words
Clustering – give in to the 7 plus or minus 2 rule and find logical groupings that streamline what you have to memorize
Self-testing – practice putting yourself in a testing situation

12. Anticipate the Test Find out first:
Format – objective (multiple choice/T or F/fill in the blanks/etc) or subjective (short/long answer) or a mix
Value and length
Time and place it will be given
Topic, chapters, and readings covered
Focus on class lecture, readings, and/or lab
Open-book or closed-book
Cheat sheets allowed
Special tools allowed or required
Will spelling and grammar mistakes count against grade

13. Prepare Deliberately
Start studying 3-4 days prior to the test (weeks prior to exams) with the following completed
Reading
Study materials such as summary sheets, concept cards, timelines, etc.
List of important concepts that will appear on the test
Study plan spelling out
how
with whom
when
where

14. Create a study schedule and stick to it!
Block in all time (breaks, food, classes, sports, sleep, etc)

15. Give Yourself a Healthy Edge
Relax the night before the exam
Do not cram
Get at least 6 hours of sleep
Get up early (as much as 3-4 hours) the day of the exam
Shower, eat breakfast, and take a brisk walk to focus your concentration
Review notes, books, and study materials

16. Start the Test on the Right Foot
Take a pen, your notes, and books to the testing site so you can study
Take your watch if you prefer to use it to track your time
When you receive the exam, take a deep breath and relax
Read, analyze, and follow test instructions
Write legibly, use a pen, and leave extra space so that the grader can read your exam easily

17. Approach the Test Carefully
Scan the entire test
Check content
Circle key words and underline important phrases
Gauge relative values of questions based on assigned point values
Answer questions you are sure of first
Only write down answers that are correct so you will return to uncertain questions later
Build your confidence and let your memory trigger recall of other information

18. Pace Yourself Calculate how much time you will need to review the test
Mercer University
Academic Resource Center
Pace Yourself
Calculate how much time you will need to review the test
Spend the appropriate amount of time on each question based on point value
Move on and finish the test and come back later to questions left unfinished

19. Don’t Give Up on Any Questions
Pay attention to interrelated statements and questions that could help you recall information for other questions
Answer every question even if you have to guess
Guess only after you have answered every question that you can
Use common sense in your guesses, but also stay on topic

20. Take a Final Look at Your Work
Save enough time at the end of the exam to review your answers
Make corrections and additions in the extra space you left around your answers
Check that you have understood the questions correctly
Check that your answers are accurate and complete

21. References
Center for Advancment of Learning, Learning Strategies Database. Muskingum College © 1998 <
Nist, Sherrie L. and Jodi Patrick Holschuh, Active Learning: Strategies for College Success. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon, 2000.
Pauk, Walter, How to Study in College. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001.