Many people suffer from Test Anxiety. Even if they know the material for a test, they have a tendency to "freeze up". I have seen cases so bad that one student didn't even spell his/her name correctly! If you suffer from this, even to a mild degree, please consider using these tips that can reduce Test Anxiety:
1) If having trouble getting started. Turn the test over and begin writing words and formulas associated with the material that you MAY need. Don't worry if you will actually use them, they are simply a means of reducing anxiety and getting all that jumbled information out of your head and on to paper. This reduces stress by distracting you from the true anxiety and gets you thinking more clearly. For the Sciences, it might be writing down units, key words, various conversion factors (multiplying by 1), or the elements on the periodic table - ANYTHING to get you relaxed. [This is what writers do when they experience Writers Block - it also works in Math, Social Studies, as well as the Sciences!]
2) If you have trouble with just a few problems, SKIP THEM and come back to them. One of the other problems might trigger your memory. If you get back to unfinished problems and still can't recall, refer to 1) and do those techniques to "break the logjam".
3) On multiple choice questions, spend as much time eliminating WRONG answers as looking for the right answer! This improves your odds in the event it comes down to guessing game.
More tips to come! |
