managing test anxiety. copyright © houghton mifflin company. all rights reserved. 12–2 the...

Managing Test Anxiety

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. 12–2

The solution to test anxiety is simple: Preparation

• Academic preparation

• Mental preparation


How to prepare academically

• Start early

• Stay on top of your coursework

• Get organized

• If you have to cram, cram systematically


Ways to start early

• Pick up your textbooks as early as you can

• Read your syllabus

• Find help if you think you’re going to need it


How to stay on topof your coursework

• Take notes

• Master your material


How to get organized

• Organize your time with time schedules

• Organize your notes with summary sheets


Time schedules for exam preparation

• The “homestretch” schedule: Ties off any end-of-semester loose ends so you can focus on your exams.

• The exam week schedule: Gives you a big picture view of exam week and encourages you to schedule enough time for sleep, meals, recreation, and study.


Summary sheets make yournotes more manageable

• Regular summary sheets can be created from the Silver Dollar ideas in your notes.

• Advanced summary sheets promote reflection by rearranging and re-categorizing your notes.


If you have to cram

• Limit what you try to learn. It’s too late to try to learn everything

• Recite instead of re-read: The only reliable way to embed important ideas in your mind


How to prepare mentally

• Find out what you can about the exams

• Get acquainted with the test site

• Maintain a positive attitude


Ways to learn aboutan upcoming exam

• Check with the instructor. They won’t tell you everything, but instructors will often answer many of your questions about an upcoming exam.

• Use past exams: Instructors frequently take the same approach to their exams from one semester to the next.


Ways to get acquaintedwith the test site

• Spend some time studying at the actual test site

• Study in quiet

• Practice at a chairdesk

• Impose a time limit


How to maintain a positive attitude

• Learn to relax: Do breathing exercises

• Use self-talk: Change any negative internal conversations to positive ones

• Visualize success: Envision yourself doing well on your exam.

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