Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is normal, but excessive anxiety can interfere with your academic success. If anxiety is excessive, you must learn to recognize your anxiety and deal with it appropriately.

Test anxiety is identified by the following components:

1. Physical symptoms include knotted stomach, wet hands, trembling, or nausea.
2. Emotional symptoms include feelings of fear or panic.
3. Mental symptoms include forgetfulness or disorganization of thought.

Reduce anxiety by learning to relax both physically and mentally as follows:

1. Being prepared is very important in reducing test anxiety.
2. Start studying at least a week in advance.
3. Get at least eight hours sleep the night before a test, and don't forget to eat breakfast.
4. Prior to a test, focus on relaxing muscles throughout the body and take deep, slow breaths.
5. Replace negative, worrisome thoughts with positive, reassuring ones.

For more information about relieving stress and anxiety, contact the Ball State Counseling Center - (765) 285-1264 in Lucina Hall room 314.

For Online Students - Please review other sections for study tips.  Frequently test anxiety can be reduced by proper preparation; especially in the area of time management.