Test anxiety
Causes of test anxiety:
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Being insufficiently prepared
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Trying to meet others' expectations
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Letting grades determine your self-worth
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Feeling helpless, with no control over what happens
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Negative "self-talk"
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Perfectionism
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Prior negative experiences in test-taking
Suggestions for reducing test anxiety:
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Improve preparation -- allow time for several review sessions; study
actively with plenty of sensory involvement; fit the review to the
specific test; avoid cramming
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Set your own goals for your performance
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Separate your grade from yourself; realize that a grade is merely a
guide to what you need to review
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Make a structured test-preparation plan; get advice on effective
study techniques; learn and practice relaxation techniques
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Tune in to your "self talk." Replace negative messages with
realistic ones
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Get some perspective; examine the causes of your perfectionism,
possibly with the help of a counselor
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Realize that test anxiety is a learned response which can be
unlearned
Feel free to drop by your ounseling center and consult our
counselors so that we can provide you with more coping tools and
information that would help you manage test anxiety. The
Learning and Resource Center is also another good place to start
when it comes to learning ways to manage stress and test anxiety by
actually learning more about better study habits and skills. Your
academic success is of utmost importance to us!