1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.