Overcoming Test Anxiety

Tips for reducing test anxiety

What symptoms do you experience when getting ready to take a test?

Testing Anxiety Impacts You Physically, Emotionally, Behaviorally, And Cognitively

Physical Response

You experience test anxiety because your brain perceives the test as a threat.

A threat triggers a biological process,

brain shuts down.
hormones are released
heart rate increases & breathing changes
you run away or stay and fight, or freeze

If the threat is a tiger, the hormonal flooding might be helpful. However, it is an inappropriate response in test-taking situations and is causing you harm, because it shuts down your ability to think.

If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms - you want to re-engage your executive brain. Find a calming activity that works for you and practice using it.

Breathe - 5 deep breaths, in and out.
Focus on a calming thought or visual
Slowly count to 10
Touch a calming object like a bracelet

Emotional Response	Behavioral Response	Cognitive Response
Guilt Anger Depression	Procrastination Excessive study Sleeping too much or too little Inability to relax	Negative self-talk Difficulty with concentration and focus Difficulty recalling key terms and concepts Difficulty organizing and expressing your thoughts Going blank on questions. Remembering the answers after the test is over.

Additional Resources

Test Anxiety