Taking an exam can be daunting for some, often to the point of developing anxiety. Test anxiety is a legitimate concern and may yield physical and emotional symptoms. The ADAA lists headaches, shortness of breath, nausea, becoming lightheaded and others as physical symptoms of testing anxiety, with “feelings of anger, helplessness and disappointment” manifesting as emotional symptoms.
How can someone combat testing anxiety? There is a multitude of ways to ward off anxiety during an actual test and methods of preparation for an exam beforehand so that such anxiety can be prevented from happening altogether. An online article on Test Taking Tips offers many suggestions for students struggling with this issue, including:
- Exercising for a few days before the test helps reduce stress.
- Getting a good night’s sleep before the test.
- Reading directions slowly and carefully.
- If test directions are unclear, ask a teacher to explain or clarify.
There are many ways that teachers can help their students with testing anxiety, as well. An article on Teach Thought suggests giving mock tests that use the same sort of language and types of questions as the actual test, discussing with students how they study outside of school and suggesting ways they can take advantage of their personal preferences -“some will study best in a quiet corner where they won’t be distracted, while others prefer a busy environment” – and reminding students that they should be well-balanced with sleep, exercise, and diet.
ProctorU, the world’s largest test proctoring company, can help with testing anxiety as well. Live help is available 24/7 via phone, chat, and remote sessions. The support they provide documents everything for the student and faculty alike. Also, planning ahead and scheduling proctored exams in advance with ProctorU will have students and teachers resting easy so that they can focus on other things. Please visit www.proctoru.com to schedule today or for more information!