Test anxiety
Test anxiety is defined as a complex physiological and emotional response to tension or stress resulting from apprehension for upcoming exams.1 Anxiety is experienced by many students in varying degrees of feeling, attitudes, and reactions to different test situations. In cases of moderately high to severe test anxiety, most students feel that it disables them from demonstrating their true knowledge of the subject on which they are being tested. It is estimated that at least 20% of all college students experience test anxiety at some level.2 It is likely that students who have their goals set or imposed by someone else, such as a parent or other authority figure, may experience test anxiety in the desire to meet the standards of that person or persons.There are many reasons for test anxiety, but there are also many ways to reduce it. The knowledge that thoughts control feelings is very well exemplified by the concept of test anxiety. The “thought” component involves dwelling on the consequences of failure, which in turn brings about the “feeling” component, which is unpleasant and uncomfortable during the testing situation. There have been numerous theories regarding test anxiety, one being th
It would seem to be important for a student to become aware of his own anxiety level so that he can determine if it is indeed beneficial for him or if it actually lessens the quality of life. The disadvantages of test anxiety are that it interferes with mental processes and keeps the student from achieving his best work. When this occurs, anxiety must be seen as a problem to be dealt with. Aside from the emotional trauma, physiological reactions, if experienced consistently, can lead to many health problems, including high blood pressure and depression. There are many negative results and effects for the individual if the anxiety is at a high and frequent level. Many students report being so nervous that they cannot do their best, inspite of long hours of studying and preparing. Often material is forgotten when taking the test and recalled after leaving the testing room. Careless errors are made that could have been avoided if the anxiety level was not so high. Physical manifestations, such as headaches, insomnia, acne, and even cold sores can result from test anxiety. It becomes a viscious circle when failure to do well on a test affects the self-confidence of the student. probably the most necessary requirement for doing one’s best, not just the night before a big test, but for several days before. It has been observed that missing a night’s sleep or getting less than 4-5 hours usually doesn’t affect a person’s performance until a couple days later. Exercise is also very important because it helps burn off extra energy and can serve as an outlet for frustration and other negative emotions that can increase anxiety. Simply walking, running, or swimming is helpful. It is not necessary to work out to the point of exhaustion. The third health concern is diet. A balanced meal is important before a test, especially if it is a meal normally eaten when there is no test situation. A high carbohydrate supper the night before a test can help to raise energy levels. Drinking water is also beneficial, and it is a good idea to take a bottle into the testing room if allowed. A moderate amount of caffeine may be harmful and may even help alertness, but an excessive amount may cause nervousness. Definitely do not consume any over-the-counter or prescription stimulants.9
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Approximate Word count = 2063
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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