TEST ANXIETY

Some students experience physical symptoms of anxiety before and during exams (an upset stomach, sweaty palms, etc.). Many of these students have trouble recalling information which they actually know. If this is a problem for you, try some of the suggestions below. Also, attend an ACE workshop on test anxiety. For information about the workshops or to discuss the possibility of scheduling an individual consultation, call 413-0032.

BEFORE THE EXAM:

1. Put things in perspective. Remind yourself that your entire future doesn't depend on this exam. There will be other exams and other courses. Many students fail a course or two but go on to graduate from UIC and have successful careers.

2. Over-study for the exam. This will increase your confidence. Also, if you know the material to the point of facility, you will be better able to answer test questions despite your test anxiety.

3. Remind yourself of past successes. Think of a tough course in which you struggled but eventually succeeded. Tell yourself that if you did well on that past exam, you can do well on the upcoming exam.

4. Don't give a test the power to define you. An exam won't tell you whether you're brilliant or stupid. Your performance on an exam mostly depends on how well you studied for the test, the quality of your prior education, and the test-taking strategies you use.

5. Visualize completing the test successfully despite your anxiety. Play the entire "tape" in your mind -- from the moment you wake up on the day of the exam to the moment you finish the exam.

6. Use the word "quiz" rather than "exam" or "test" when you think about the upcoming evaluation.

7. Practice anxiety control strategies. As you study, deliberately induce anxiety by saying to yourself the negative thoughts you typically have during an exam (ie. "I'm going to fail.") Now, practice the Anxiety Control Procedure (described below). Remind yourself that you will probably experience some anxiety during the test, but the anxiety won't hamper your performance because you've practiced controlling the anxiety.

DURING THE EXAM

1. Try to avoid talking with other students right before the exam. Their anxieties may rub off on you.

2. Choose a seat in a place with few distractions (probably near the front).

3. Remind yourself of how hard you studied, how well you did on another exam, and how you've practiced anxiety control.

4. If you begin to feel overly anxious, do the ANXIETY CONTROL PROCEDURE:

5. Do not obsess about running out of time on the test. Check the time periodically (say after you've finished a third of the test), but avoid checking too frequently, as this will only distract you and make you more anxious. Remind yourself that it's better to miss a few points by not quite finishing the test than to lose your concentration and thus miss many points.

6. Approach your studying seriously, but think of the test as a game. Your goal is to collect as many points as you can in the time available. Don't worry about a particular question. If you're unsure of the answer, guess and move on. Remind yourself that you can miss a few questions and still get an A.

ACADEMIC CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

413-0032

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