Dealing with Test Anxiety

This website is no longer being maintained at this location.
As of March 6, 2007 it moved to:
http://www.onlineasp.org.
This site will continue to exist here till December 30, 2007.
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For information about the University of Dayton's Academic Support Program
contact Dean Lori Shaw.

For information about Professor Randall's Academic Support Services for Minority Students
go to The JD Project, Inc.

Adapted from Study Guides & Strategies, University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn (Sept. 1998).

Every academic institution should have a counseling service to assist you with test anxiety. They are professionals and have many resources to assist you.

Before the test

	Be prepared!
	Learn your material thoroughly;
	Approach the exam with confidence:
	View the exam as an opportunity to show how much you've studied and to receive a reward for the studying you've done
	Get a good night's sleep the night before the exam
	Allow yourself plenty of time,
	especially to do things you need to do before the test and still get there a little early
	Relax just before the exam
	Don't try to do a last minute review
	Don't go to the exam with an empty stomach
	Take a piece of candy, or some other nourishment
	to help take your mind off of your anxiety

During the test

	Read the directions carefully
	Budget your test taking time
	Change positions to help you relax
	If you go blank, skip the question and go on
	If you're taking an essay test and you go blank on the whole test, pick a question and start writing. It may trigger the answer in your mind
	Don't panic when students start handing in their papers. There's no reward for being the first done

If you are aware that you have a problem with test anxiety, be sure your teacher or instructor knows before any testing begins (and not the hour before!). There may be other options to evaluate your knowledge or performance within the subject matter.

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