Test-Taking Anxiety?

[crshore]

Does anyone else have issues with test-taking anxiety? When there's a lot riding on a test (college credits, entrance into graduate school, etc.) I get VERY nervous! Just wondering if anyone else has this problem!

[AGS]

Does anyone else have issues with test-taking anxiety? When there's a lot riding on a test (college credits, entrance into graduate school, etc.) I get VERY nervous! Just wondering if anyone else has this problem!

yes, i feel the anxieties....especially with time schedule on work and other activities.....

and sleep is the biggest issue .... I feel if I had more sleep I would get better scores.....

like in the 70's....

[Basket Weaver]

Having anxiety prior to a test is quite natural. I imagine everyone on this forum has felt the same way at one time or another, it usually is a bit worse the closer you get to the end of your studies, at least it was for me. I've found that the best method to lower my anxiety is to be as prepared as possible. Being confident about my studying, as well as the subject matter, lessened my anxiety quite a bit. As AGS metioned, proper sleep and a good routine are important as well. Good Luck!

[studyhard]

Does anyone else have issues with test-taking anxiety? When there's a lot riding on a test (college credits, entrance into graduate school, etc.) I get VERY nervous! Just wondering if anyone else has this problem!

Nah, you're the only one. The rest of us are cool, calm and collected at all times. hilarious hilarious

There are four things that cut down on my nervousness:

1. Be prepared. I know that's kind of duh, but when I'm nervous about a test I just keep studying and studying and studying. Typically I do every IC section about 5-6 times and supplement with other books and take a practice test, if available. If I do well on the practice test, I don't worry about the real test.

2. Get a good night's rest. Another duh, but it helps.

3. Eat a healthy meal before the test. That means something with protein and not a lot of sugar. Fruit loops and corn-syrup-laced yogurt ain't it. I usually eat a scrambled egg and some whole-wheat toast for breakfast when I have a test that morning. Protein is a "brain food" and eating a nutritious breakfast helps prevent the foggy-brain syndrome and excessive physical nervousness. I wouldn't drink a ton of coffee either.

4. Consider taking an herbal relaxer right before the test. This kind of stuff is usually available at a local health food store. I have found that taking something like this helps cut down on the trembling legs/shaking hands/cold sweat syndrome prior to the test. It doesn't eliminate it entirely, but it does take the edge off for me. Ask the clerk for something with chamomile, etc. for nervousness. (Try it at home first to make sure it doesn't make you drowsy...and obviously consult your doctor if first if you're on medication or something.)

Incidentally, the "rules" say you're not allowed to have anything to eat or drink with you at the testing center but I asked our center if I could bring a water bottle and they didn't have a problem with it. Sometimes just taking a 20-second break during the test and getting a refreshing sip of water helps.

Hope this helps!

[Matymus]

I don't think you'll find a single one of us that don't have 'anxieties' on test day. Just be as prepared as you can, then let it go. Somehow, you have to find a balance. If you let the anxiety rule, then I think that ruins your abilities on the actual exam. There needs to be that balance. I know...easier said than done.

[twitterflix]

anxieties..yikes that's a big one for me. The last test i took i was so anxious that i almost threw up my breakfast. I found out that if you wear more comfortable clothes when taking the test then you will be more relaxed and not as anxious in the long run. Ive thought about wearing my pajamas a couple of times .

[barcotta]

I don't worry much, but to the extent that I do (and I expect I will worry more as I get closer to the end and the failure of one exam means I have to choose another or, God-forbid, wait six months!) here's how I approach my exams.

I skip the questions for which I don't have a clue.

I find that the more I think about something I can't answer--the more it seeps my confidence. These CLEP and DANTES tests are unique amongst everything else I've experienced in life in that you can get MANY questions wrong and--not only pass--but pass with a pretty good score. I believe this is due to the percentile grading process. In any event, look at it this way--you can be clueless on 15-20 questions--and you're probably not yet even in the danger zone. So, just skip the ridiculous questions, mark them to return, and keep going to the end. I also keep a tally on paper in three columns. Column one is for questions I know I've answered correctly. Column two is for questions I'm pretty sure I've answered correctly (usually I've been able to narrow it down to one of two answers). The third column is for question for which I haven't a clue. As long as that third column doesn't go north of 20, I don't worry. Usually I have 40-50 (less than half) for which I'm certain of the answer--then a bunch that I have at least a 50/50 shot at--which has given me the grades you see in my signature. Once I've been through the test once, I go back and give the tough questions one more try. At this point, I'm usually certain that I at least passed, so--no worry!

As a caveat, I'm now getting into exams that are much tougher for me--so my method will be put to the test much more in the coming months.

[blueyzz28]

I do not have much anxiety before taking a test. My strategy is to study hard and when I am ready to take the test I make sure all my ducks are in a row so there is nothing to worry about. I make sure the test is being given, make sure I arrive early, make sure my paperwork is filled out correctly, etc.

I have taken 7 CLEPS and I always run into people studying the last 30 minutes before the exam. I think that is terrible. Once you have the material down, then relax. Do not study the day of the test. Let your mind be still and try not to cram too much right before an exam. I think that is a mistake many people make.

[Southron Boy]

I still get nervous, but I think people need to learn their studying style. Between work and family commitments, it is difficult for me to stretch out one exam for two or three weeks and focus on it. Also, my personality is to get distracted on prolonged study, and find other things on my looooong laundry list to do. I have tried this, and it may be a month before I finally get to the exam. If I take a few days (normally less than a week) and put some good study time in, I have found it suits my style. Granted, some people work better under pressure, and I have always been that way. A retired Marine Corps LtCol friend of mine (who was a type A) used to laugh and get a kick out of it.

I don't think anxiety is a "bad thing", you just don't want to fall to pieces. Stress can be a motivator, but you have to know that balance. I think the testing center people laugh at me because I repeatedly come in tripping over chairs and chattering my teeth , and then leave with a fairly decent score.

It sounds like bluey has it together, and I know I break most of the previous comments besides knowing that the exam is offered, arriving on time, filling out paper work correctly, etc., but it works for me.

I know some study guides say to watch a movie or read a leisure book the night before. I try NOT to watch a movie, or do anything frivolous the night before (usually study and review this board) so that my brain is in test mode while I sleep and in the morning (usually for a 10:30 exam). Each time, I get some eggs and toast, chocolate milk, and a few swigs of Dr. Pepper (just the right amount for an added sugar boost. Read somewhere where testers drank just the right amount of tea to up their caffine just so). If I have a few extra minutes at the testing center, I study, study, study reviewing flashcards, notes, etc. Lunch break: study, study ... you get the idea. Some might call it cramming ... I call it making the most of my time. It seems like there is always precious little time in this world.