Test Anxiety ( Honors Project )

Hey all! ^.^ I decided to do my honors project about Test Anxiety and its finally here after so much procrastinating Special thanks to my intern buddy @PhoenixAsh. Also thanks for rechecking: @Pureriver55, @TinyTea. Thanks for extra help: @onedirection1213, @Mango3.

What is Test Anxiety?

We all know what a test is, basically an assessment given at a school\college\university. So what is Anxiety? It is defined as the feeling of worrying, nervousness, fear and\or uncomfortableness. So Test Anxiety is the feeling of worrying, nervousness, fear and\or uncomfortableness about a test\exam.

When does Test Anxiety occur?

Typically Test Anxiety occurs before and\or in the exam. Sometimes it lasts after the exam too. Test Anxiety might occur when you have to perform as well. For example: when you have to present in front of class, you might find yourself worrying about it which is basically test anxiety.

Symptoms:

There are 3 types of symptoms: physical ( shown by body ), emotional ( shown by emotions ) , and behavioral ( shown by behavior )

Common physical symptoms:

1- Excessive sweating

2- Shortness of breath

3- Fainting

4- Headache

Common emotional symptoms:

1- Anger

2- Feeling of despair

3- Fear

Common behavioral symptoms:

1- Having trouble concentrating

2- Comparing yourself to others

3- Negative thoughts ( I cant do this, I wont do well etc )

Common causes ( Why does Anxiety happen? )

1- Not prepared well for exam (this include lack of time you prepared for the exam, how you prepared for the exam, lack of organization etc )

2- Lack of self confidence ( sometimes even if you did prepare well for the exam, you tend to have test anxiety due to low self esteem\confidence )

3- Environment of the exam place

Overcoming Test Anxiety

With a little more courage you can overcome your test anxiety. I will share some tips that may be useful for you:

1- Prepare well for the exam

2- Sleep well the night before exam

3- Show up early for exam

4- Dont do exam on an empty stomach

5- Stay hydrated

6- Have a positive attitude during exam

7- Concentrate on the instructions and the questions well

8- If you dont know the answer to a question, skip it and move on to the next question

9- Dont worry if you dont finish it first

10- Share your feelings

Where to get support for Test Anxiety on 7 cups?

We have an Anxiety Support Subcommunity here on 7 cups

Check out this guide https://www.7cups.com/how-to-overcome-test-taking-anxiety/

Myths and facts about Test Anxiety:

Myth 1: Only low grade students have Test Anxiety

Fact 1: Even top students can have Test Anxiety- It has nothing to do with grades

Myth 2: People who have Test Anxiety is born with it

Fact 2: It often happens because of certain factors and no one is born with it

Myth 3: All exam anxiety is bad

Fact 3: Not all exam anxiety is bad. Its fine to get somewhat anxious about your exam but when it gets extreme, its not healthy.

A real life story about Test Anxiety:

" Once I cried so much during a test that they sent me home hahaha. Truly traumatic. It was okay though, make sure to get enough sleep before the night of the test XD"

Discussion:

Have you ever experienced Test Anxiety?

If you did experience it, how did you cope with it?

What steps are you going to take to stop letting test anxiety affect you negatively?

Reference

https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/children/test-anxiety#

https://www.verywell.com/the-symptoms-of-test-anxiety-2795367

https://www.verywell.com/what-causes-test-anxiety-2795366

http://www.kristen-mcclure-therapist.com/causesoftestanxiety.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_anxiety

https://fastbraiin.com/9-myths-about-test-anxiety/

http://www.mentalgamecoach.com/articles/TestAnxietyMyths.html

http://www.academia.edu/7688563/Test_Anxiety_Some_Facts_Psychologists_Know_About

http://www.studygs.net/tstprp8.htm

https://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Exam-Anxiety