Test-taking can be impacted by anxiety and mood, as well as by being socially self-conscious. When upset or stressed by intrusive thoughts, decision-making, memory, and logical thinking can become affected. In addition, worrying about what others are doing or thinking can distract from the test (e.g. others are finishing faster).
| Learn strategies to manage test anxiety and establish a cue to remember to use them. | Tips to manage test anxiety Taming test anxiety Strategies for test anxiety |
| Plan a strategy. | Examples: write facts to remember in the margin of the test before starting, begin with easy questions and circle item numbers that will take longer, underline key words or break apart complex questions, what would the teacher think is most relevant, avoid overthinking – stick with what is most obvious or common |
| Close your eyes for a few seconds to re-group and re-focus. | |
| Use self-relaxation breathing techniques. | Breathing demo Breathe practices and apps |
| Use positive self-talk. | Samples of self-talk Examples: I can do this, I will stay calm, I can control my stress, I have learned from mistakes |
| Just prior to the test, take a calm moment and visualize doing the task. | Example: picture yourself walking into the test room, sitting at the desk, taking a deep breath, being confident, and working the first problem / question |
| Methodically work your way through the items you know and initially skip the items that are not coming quickly or easily, then return to those items as time allows. |