Test Anxiety
Some Typical Causes of Test Anxiety
- Pressure to do well (self, family, others)
- Being unprepared for the test
- Using stimulants to study
- Poor study habits
- Ineffective test taking strategies
- Competing with others vs. focus on self
- Lack of sleep
- Assuming one test will determine future
- Sense of time pressure
Effective Studying Can Greatly Reduce Test Anxiety
- Find where you study best and use it!
- Take reasonable breaks: usually about 5 or 10 minutes per hour
- Show up for every class and participate in discussion or by asking questions
- Keep up on readings and assignments: getting behind produces anxiety
- Study a small amount each day to improve retention: avoid cramming
- Interact with the material in several different ways: read, outline, take and review notes, use flash cards, make diagrams, join a study group
- Quiz yourself after reading each section then again at the end of each chapter
(memory of readings at 2 weeks is about 20%: self-testing once improves memory to about 55%, and twice improves memory to about 75%) - Find someone who will simulate a test with you: each make up questions and take each others "test"
- Look at instructor's file of previous tests to identify their testing style
Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.
~Babe Ruth
Test Taking Skills
Short answer Tests
- Budget your time
- Do the easier questions first
- Answer each question
- Use the full time allowed
Essays
- Read all questions first
- Answer difficult questions last
- Make sure you understand the question
- Briefly outline before writing
Objective exams
- Answer questions in the order given
- Take time to consider your choice
If unsure of an answer, you may get a clue in a later question: return to it later.
Some places to consider for help with study or test taking skills
- Instructors or teaching assistants
- Resident advisors
- Friends or classmates