Test Anxiety

[JGunterman]

First, a little background. I just graduated college with my Bachelor's Degree in December. I've recently been accepted to grad school (hurray!), but almost all the classes are online-only, so they're going to be very test-heavy I assume. I have insane test anxiety. I know a lot of people prefer testing to papers, homework, etc, but I don't. It's not that I'm unintelligent. I believe that I'm a pretty smart person. However, when I'm given a test I freak out 90% of the time - to the point where it can affect my performance. Now, this doesn't happen often, but I know when it does. Generally, I overreact for no reason and end up doing pretty well on most tests I take. However, on certain tests, I'll have a mini-panic attack which makes thinking of the answers significantly harder. There was one class where I went from an A to a B specifically because I panicked during a test. After the test was over I knew the answers, but when it was in front of me I couldn't focus. Has anyone experienced similar types of anxiety?

 

[NormaD]

I used to suffer like that too, until I started learning a few meditation and relaxation techniques which have significantly helped me to be able to deal with any of these kind of situations whenever they arise. Deep breathing exercises also help. Whenever you are tense and anxious during an exam, your brain will sort of clam up and you will be unable to access all that precious information that you studied so hard for. Relaxation is the only way to let the answers flow.

 

[rootle]

I've never suffered from this thankfully. I generally perform well in tests and even when I don't, it doesn't bother me too much. A far greater problem for me during tests is getting distracted and spacing out.

 

[NormaD]

I've never suffered from this thankfully. I generally perform well in tests and even when I don't' date=' it doesn't bother me too much. A far greater problem for me during tests is getting distracted and spacing out. [/quote']
You are lucky you never got to experience this. You should try meditation relaxation exercises to help you with your focus during tests. It really works wonders for concentrating and remembering.

 

[rootle]

I'm not sure if I would be able to meditate. My concentration is very poor, making it very difficult to control what I am thinking about. Even in writing this message my mind has wandered a few times. But yeah, generally in tests I am more concentrated than I usually am. I guess tests in general is something my mind is fairly suited for.

 

[Alex]

I think it's actually natural to feel some anxiety over tests. I'm always nervous about exams and tests even for ones where I am well prepared. It boils down to a lack of control, but once you are in the situation you deal with it, I find it's before that is more nerve racking.


I don't think it has to do with low esteem, but gradually you learn to cope and some do better than others. Once the test is done then you realize it wasn't that bad. At least the option of online is available these days, as it wasn't when I took my first degree.

 

[John Snort]

It's fairly common for many people to feel a little anxious before taking a test. You shouldn't let it go straight to full-blown panic because the end result wouldn't be something you'll be proud of. So when feeling anxious before a test you should try some relaxation techniques: count backwards from 100 to 0, squeeze a stress ball and use positive reinforcement to assure yourself that everything will be alright in the end. Everything will be alright in the end . . . if it's not OK it's not the end.