2. Test Anxiety
What is test anxiety?
What are the symptoms?
What causes test anxiety?
How can I control it?
3. What is Test Anxiety?
Test Anxiety: An uneasiness or
apprehension experienced before, during,
or after a test because of concern, worry,
or fear.
If you have ever experienced:
◦ Mental Blocks
◦ Nervousness
◦ Physical discomfort
4. Do you have test-anxiety?
A. Yes
B. No
C. I don’t know
Yes
No
Idon’tknow
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6. What Causes Test Anxiety?
Pressure
Past experiences
Fear of failure
Lack of preparation
Poor test-taking skills
7. How to Prevent Test Anxiety
Week Before – Prepare and Practice!
Day Before – Eat right, Get rest, No worries!
Day Of – Relax, Be Confident, Keep Focus!
Day After – Get your mind off of the test. Do
a favorite activity. Hang out with friends
Week After – Start preparation for your next
exam
8. Helpful Tips to Reduce Anxiety
Set the right atmosphere for studying
Take notes efficiently
Develop a study schedule
Create learning aids
Prepare yourself by attending all classes,
asking questions, and getting help if you
have a particular problem with the
material.
9. Controlling Anxiety
Think positively.
Use your imagination in a positive way.
Have a healthy diet, and exercise
regularly.
11. General Tips
Before you begin the exam:
1. Read the directions carefully
2. Preview types of questions and the point
value of each
3. Calculate time needed for each section
4. “Dump sheet” Write any notes that will
help stimulate your memory
12. Acronyms
Used everyday to communicate
Great to help memorize detailed
processes or information for tests too
13. Three Types of Test Questions
Multiple Choice
Short Answer
Essay
14. Multiple Choice
Multiple choice questions usually include
a phrase or stem followed by three to five
options
Test-taking strategies:
◦ Read the directions carefully
◦ Know if each question has one or more
correct option
◦ Know if you are penalized for guessing
◦ Know how much time is allowed
15. Multiple Choice
Strategies for answering difficult
questions:
◦ Eliminate options you know to be incorrect
◦ "All of the above:"
If you know two of three options seem
correct, "all of the above" is a strong
possibility
◦ Remember that you are looking for the best
answer, not only a correct one
16. Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following animals most
likely chewed mom’s shoe?
a) Ant
b) Bat
c) Cat
d) Dog
17. Who wrote A Christmas Carol?
A. Stephen King
B. Dr. Seuss
C. Ernest Hemingway
D. Charles Dickens
E. Nicholas Sparks
Stephen
King
Dr.Seuss
ErnestHem
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ayCharlesDickensNicholasSparks
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18. Short Answer
A teacher's primary purpose
in giving a short-answer test is to test whether
you have a foundation of knowing the material,
usually factual.
Prepare for the test
◦ Develop summary sheets of the course material
information.
◦ Focus on key words, events, vocabulary, concepts
◦ Organize and categorize the material, then review.
19. Short Answer
When taking the test
◦ Respond directly to the question or directive
◦ Focus on keywords and ideas called for
◦ Eliminate those that do not directly address the
information requested in the test item
• Remember:
◦ A guess made with common sense
could get you more test points than if you leave an
answer blank
20. Essay
◦ Read all of the questions/instructions first
◦ Underline key words:
Organize
Summarize
Evaluate
Compare
◦ Be specific
◦ Write legibly
◦ Budget your time
Proofread at the end and correct any errors
21. Please Contact Us
Conway 349-7872
Grand Strand 477-2113
Georgetown 520-1455
Email: sstc@hgtc.edu
Website: http://www.hgtc.edu/sstc
Editor's Notes
To become a more successful Test Taker we will focus on two areas:
Learning to control test anxiety
Learning to utilize test-taking strategies
Today we will learn how to work on these and increase your overall test grades!!
Who thinks they have Test Anxiety?
Most people have some form of Test Anxiety! Are there any other symptoms that you guys feel?
Other Symptoms: Confusion, Negative thoughts, Shortness of Breath, Frustration, Depression.
There are several factors that can contribute to the cause of too much anxiety:
Pressure from family, friends, or professors. Competition with classmates, Graduation.
If a student has had previous problems or bad experiences with test-taking, this can lead to a negative mind-set. Individuals who tie their self-worth to the outcome of a test tend to create an overwhelming fear of failure, so remember its just a test.
Waiting until the last minute can leave you anxious or overwhelmed. Cramming is stressful! Bad time management is a huge cause of anxiety!
If you work on improving your test taking skills, you can Control your Test Anxiety!!
You can control your test anxiety by working on your test taking skills, and Earlier we also talked about Relaxation. Things you can do a week before the test to keep your anxiety low during an exam, the most important thing is to PRACTICE. Practice test, homework, practice different types of questions, prepare with other classmates.
Get rest, do not stay up studying all night and cramming. Your brain needs rest. No worries, be confident going into the test.
The day of, Take a small snack, or some other nourishment to help take your mind off of your anxiety.
Keep focus! Do not engage in negative convo with your friends. Strive for a relaxed state of concentration avoid talking with students who have not prepared, who express negativity, who will distract your preparation
Think positively: Remind yourself—You may be taking a test, but you are well prepared.
Use your imagination: Imagine yourself being calm and in control.
Diet: Avoid stimulants and depressants.
If you are feeling overwhelmed: View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you have prepared! And to receive a reward for the studying you’ve done, instead of receiving a grade.
Get familiar with your test to increase you comfort level.
Dump Sheet– Organize your thoughts
Can you name any other acronyms you’ve used? How about PMAT for biology (Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase)? Or, FOIL (first, outer, inner, last) for math?
Use the process of elimination. The first two animals aren’t likely to be in the house or capable of chewing a shoe. The second two are possibilities, but because we are looking for the most likely, it’s probably the dog. Use the process of elimination.
Look for key words in the problem. Organize your thoughts.
