|  Test
Anxiety
Most
of us experience some level of uneasiness or tension before and/or during
a test. A small amount of tension or stress is expected. Sometimes that
nervousness works in our favor, motivating us. However, in larger amounts,
that tension can interfere or even impair our capacity to think, plan and
perform on tests. It is important to know how you can help your student
overcome test anxiety.
First it’s important to decide whether the anxiety
is a result of lack of preparation or the consequence of over-reacting/panicking
during testing. Anxiety produced by inadequate preparation is easy to
understand and can be eliminated with proper studying. However, if your
child is adequately prepared but still over-reacts or panics, then they
are truly suffering from test anxiety.
Here are some steps you can use to help them overcome
this situation:
- First
of all, with young children we found it is important to think of the
test and refer to each test as a game. Children tend to respond well
to the activities when it’s presented in that matter.
- Before the test, it is important to know that preparation
has been accomplished. The higher level the preparation, the lower the
level of anxiety.
- Teachers are aware that some students do suffer from
“test anxiety.” Evidence of this may be seen in the classroom
before standardized tests are administered. Teachers will work with
individual students, and the class as a whole, to help them deal with,
and hopefully overcome, their feelings of anxiety regarding testing.
When administering standardized tests, many teachers will first administer
a “practice test” a version of the standardized test designed
to allow students to become more comfortable with the actual before
it is presented.
- Share
your concerns about your child’s fear of tests with his/her teacher.
Perhaps he/she can suggest ways for you to work with your child at home
and prepare him/her for the testing experience. One way that you can
help your child is by discussing his feelings regarding testing. Reassure
your child they expect him to try his best, but you will love him regardless
of the test results. Finally realize that all test results take into
consideration the conditions of the testing experience. If your child
is extremely anxious during the testing, this will affect his score.
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