Jesus, Mary You're the Best..Help Me Please to Pass this Test: Pre Test Practices to Avoid Anxiety

Test taking is a way for teachers to evaluate the progress of their students in any subject of learning. Though, for students, tests are a point of stress and anxiety. Especially during the treacherous Junior Year of high school where students seek to navigate the unfriendly waters of standardized college entrance exams, test anxiety can reach a peak. Being anxious about a test before or during the test can lead a student to blank on the test and receive a less than desirable score. There are many tips and practices to help students avoid test anxiety and become confident in their test taking abilities.

Much of the time test anxiety is a result of not feeling prepared. Much of the time students procrastinate and are not able to study effectively. "Cramming" is a common practice among students who either do not have efficient time management or have a very busy schedule. At Xavier, it is common to see students in the hallways with their faces buried in a book in hopes of securing the sometimes elusive "A" grade on the test.

To avoid stress and anxiety during a test, Study Guides and Strategies.net recommends studying thoroughly before hand...NOT just the night before until 2 am or for 10 minutes during break. Approach the exam with confidence and use strategies for success such as self encouragement (in this case it would be acceptable to talk to yourself). Avoid negativity and allow plenty of time to take the test today, it is not important who finishes the exam first.

Other helpful practices include exercise (which sharpens the mind) and a good night's rest the night before the exam. Do not go to the exam on an empty stomach but rather eat fresh fruits and vegetables which reduce stress. I personally like to pray before a big exam because it eases my nerves and helps me think more clearly. Many practices are useful to overcome test anxiety and it is something that must be worked on over time. Students should try multiple practices, see which one works for them and continue to use it to drastically reduce their stress before tests.