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Article #14: Test Anxiety

QUESTION: Our son is starting to get nervous about exams. He studies hard and always passes, but he gets himself so worked up he can't sleep. By the time he takes the exams he's so tired he doesn't think clearly and makes careless errors. What do you suggest he do to reduce his test anxiety?

ANSWER: Good tests define and energize the teaching/learning process; bad tests ruin it. Both teachers and students benefit from tests. Teachers need to know what students have internalized from their lessons in order to select and focus subsequent lessons. Tests give them that information. Students need to review, organize, structure, recall and apply new learning to make it their own. Tests measure their progress toward that goal.

There are several steps parents, teachers and students can take to diffuse test anxiety and improve student confidence and success as test-takers. Students can even learn to look forward to and enjoy taking tests!

Testing Tips for Students:

• Establish a regular study routine and complete homework assignments regularly, so you aren't faced with learning an entire semester's work in one week or less. Begin review well in advance of the test, so you don't run out of preparation time.
• Find out what the test will cover.
• Reduce other commitments, especially during preparation for major tests (like final exams).
• Get adequate sleep, nourishment and exercise (which promotes sound sleep). Stay away from caffeine in coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, No-Doz and other sources. Caffeine interferes with sleep and can make you jittery. Take study breaks to relax and organize your thoughts before moving on to the next chapters or subjects.
• When taking the test, read over the instructions and ask the teacher about anything you don't understand. Complete the sections you're most sure of first; then go back and complete the rest.
• Keep your perspective. Each test is but one of many you'll take over the years and rarely accounts for all of your grade (unless you're already borderline failing). So take a deep breath, read the test carefully and do the best you can.
• Visit the following web site to read about "No More Test Anxiety:" http://www.collegeview.com/bookstore/testanxiety.html

Testing Tips for Teachers:

• Teach students effective study techniques, such as outlining, note-taking skills, topical mapping, memorization, relevance of the subject matter and application of newly learned skills to similar problems or situations.
• Vary test formats to give students a variety of ways to demonstrate knowledge and mastery.
• Base student performance on many quizzes and tests, plus homework completion, class participation and essays. That way students who have trouble taking tests can show their knowledge in other ways (and may feel less anxious about the tests.)
• Provide review sessions before major tests to inform students what will be covered. Set aside office (classroom) hours before or after school for students who wish to get extra help.
• Make your tests fair and review test instructions on the day of the test. Remember that tests measure the teacher's success as well as the student's. If all students fail a test, the teacher hasn't done a very good job presenting the material.
• See the following Internet article about student test anxiety: http://www.salc.wsu.edu/advising/newman/SelfHelp/ReducingTestAnxiety.pdf

Testing Tips for Parents:

• Expect regular homework assignments and monitor their completion and quality throughout the year. Making sure your child establishes regular study hours will help immensely when the time comes to prepare for tests.
• Take a personal interest in what your children learn in school. Your curiosity will be contagious. Be available to explain assignments, go through examples to help with understanding, but then encourage your child to complete the work independently.
• Provide good nutrition, a quiet and well-lit study area and recognition of both effort and success.
• Teach your child some of the successful test-taking skills you learned over the years.
• Read the following Internet article, which gives advice to parents about improving your child's test-taking skills: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/TestTaking/index.html

Author’s Note: Be sure to consult in person with your child’s teacher, physician or other qualified professional if you have questions or concerns about your child’s developmental or educational progress.