Test Jitters

Test. The word alone can cause students' palms to sweat, hearts to race, and feelings of nervousness and fear to take over.

If you experience these or other nervous feelings when presented with a test, then you are feeling test anxiety. This is a very common feeling and you are not alone. If you have problems completing tests then continue reading to gain some advice that will hopefully ease some of those worrisome feelings and fears.

Students get nervous about tests because such a lot of emphasis is placed on them, but they really should learn to relax and realize that the outcome of this or any other test is not going to dictate the end of the world. The point of tests is to see how students are performing with regard to their math, reading, and other academic skills. Teachers and just want to make sure you are learning and understand these important skills. So, instead of thinking of tests as a major exam, try to view them as a type of measuring tool, just like a ruler or perhaps a scale.

Did you know that most students' fear of tests also stem from one negative experience? Sometime during your school career you have actually learned to be afraid of tests! Think back through your life and try to find when your fear of tests started. This will help you realize that your test anxieties are emotional. Emotions can be pretty scary, but once you can figure out why they are happening, they are a lot easier to handle.

Once you understand that tests are a measuring tool and your fears are emotions, you are ready to learn ways to prepare for a test and tips to help you relax during each test.

Proper Preparation

Many students are nervous for tests because they did not study adequately or finish their homework. Make sure to finish your homework assignments. Believe it or not, your teachers do not assign worksheets and other assignments to be mean; they give them so you can learn the skills used in the school work.

You can also prepare for a test by creating a practice quiz at home. You or your parents can take problems like those in your homework but change them around so they are new questions. If you can't answer any of the problems, ask your parents to help you.

Many websites have also been designed to offer kids homework help. They can give advice and help students learn skills they don't understand. One important thing to remember when preparing for a test is that it's possible to over study. That's right, there is actually such a thing as studying too much.

If you concentrate too much on studying you are putting too much emphasis on the test; this makes you nervous because it is all that you are thinking about. The important thing to remember is the better you understand the skills you are going to be tested on, the easier your test questions should be.

Test Panic

Most students experience panic when they are handed their test, even if they have studied their lessons and finished their homework. There are certain exercises you can do before beginning a test to help yourself calm down.

First, remember to breathe. This may sound funny but many people tend to hold their breath when concentrating or nervous. Not breathing or breathing too fast will make you more nervous. Take a deep breath and count to ten before letting it out. This will help to calm you down.

You can also help your body relax by tensing up all of your muscles and slowly relaxing them. This will burn off your nervous energy and help your body relax. When your body is relaxed, your brain can relax as well. Try visualizing yourself acing your test. This may put you in a more optimistic mindset, helping you do better on the test.

Test Taking Tips

When you start to take your test, it helps to read all directions and questions before starting. This means you should actually look through the problems before you start them. By doing this, you'll be able to locate the easier problems you remember how to do instead of wasting time staring at a problem that you cannot figure out. If you cannot answer a problem quickly, then skip it and come back to it later. Once you have answered all of the questions you know, you will begin to feel more confident about the test and will have more success with the hard questions.

Remember to congratulate yourself after finishing each test. Tests are hard on your brain and on your emotions, so each test you complete marks another hurdle you've successfully jumped over. And as long as you prepared adequately and worked your hardest, you have nothing to be nervous about!