Combating Test Anxiety
by Steve Hackney/Special to the Daily Press
For many people the word “test” is a synonym for “anxiety”. Test anxiety hits us when all knowledge leaves our mind moments before the start of a test. For most of us, it’s a thing of the past, but for many of our children it’s a regular occurrence. It’s of particular concern now that students must pass a high school exit exam before receiving their diploma.
Low performance due to test anxiety is documented by research. Most students who suffer from test anxiety feel that there is nothing they can do about it. However, test anxiety can be significantly reduced, and any remaining nervousness can actually increase your child’s concentration.
If you are the parent of a child who does poorly on tests despite adequate studying, there are four things that you can do to help. These strategies will also help the adult who is frustrated at the lack of ability to recall information under stress.
First, help your student develop a note system that allows them to review significant test items on a single page. Reduce detailed notes to a simple visual outline using a line to connect related facts to words or short phrases. The act of simplifying notes and organizing them into related items will give your child’s mind an additional “file” in which to find the information. Review with your child from the outline.
Second, instead of memorizing facts, help your child learn how those facts can be applied in real-life. Who would use that information, and in what situation? Have your child teach you the material. By doing this, they will begin to see the material in terms that they can understand, not just a series of unrelated facts.
Third, don’t let your child cram for the test. Cramming creates its own stress, and may actually contribute to recall difficulty. Set aside 30-minutes early in the evening in the days before the test. Help your child review their notes, asking questions from their notes, reminding them of the related facts you discussed earlier.
Fourth, and finally, put the test in proper perspective. After all, it’s only a test. Your child will take their cue from you. If you don’t place undue importance on the test, chances are they will relax and do their best.
Tomorrow is the day of the big test. It’s time to unwind. Let your child spend the evening before the test thinking about anything but the test. Reassure them that their efforts will pay off and they will go to the test in a more relaxed and confident state of mind. Preparation and confidence are great anxiety reducers.
The study habits mentioned here get stronger and more effective with use. As your child begins to develop these skills, their test scores will improve along with their confidence. http://www.muskingum.edu/~cal/database/genpurpose.html
Steve Hackney is in his fourth year as a Resource Specialist teacher at the Academy for Academic Excellence. Hackney teaches math to students with learning disabilities, and public speaking. He may be contacted at 760-946-5414 ext. 230 or by email, Shackney@lcer.org.
Used with permission by Daily Press, Freedom Communication, 2003