Prepare
well in advance. Keep up day to day. Avoid last minute cramming. Aim
for 7-8 hours of sleep the night before a major exam. Eat good nutritious
food and bring a high energy snack to the test. Relax and compose yourself
prior to the exam.
Know time
and place of the test and what you will need to bring. Be on time, neither
late nor too early (panic is contagious). Plan so you can approach the
test with a leisurely, confident step. Have EXTRA PENS or PENCILS with
you. A second color pen can be useful for late additions to essay questions.
Avoid
quizzing each other just before the exam. Don't talk with classmates
immediately beforehand if you know it raises your anxiety level. To
do so may nourish group paranoia.
PLAN YOUR
APPROACH. Read all directions carefully. Survey the entire test, getting
a "birds-eye" view of the entire exam. Budget your time according to
point values of various questions. Start with questions that you KNOW
and come back to questions that you are unsure about.
Ask for
clarification. If you have questions about directions or procedures:
ASK!! Don't let anxiety build up because you aren't sure about some
parts of the test.
Pay attention
to the test, not to yourself or others. Avoid doubting yourself, wondering
how other people are doing, or blaming yourself. Pay attention to what
you CAN do now.
Activity
reduces anxiety. If you go blank and can't think of anything to write,
go to another question or another part of the test. On an essay, jot
down anything you can recall ... in order stimulate your memory and
get your mind working.
Relax
yourself physically during the test. If you notice that you are not
thinking well or you are tight ... pause, lay your test aside, and take
several slow, deep breaths. Concentrate on your breathing. Try saying
to yourself: "I will do my very best on this exam. I am proud of my
effort today on this exam. I can and will remember what I know."
Keep learning
study skills and test techniques. With practice, these will come naturally
for you.
