Test Taking: Prepare

Being a little anxious for a test is normal. Did you hear that? Normal. Give yourself a break- it is only part way through the semester many of you are still figuring out the strategies for doing well in college. It’s okay if you are nervous. But it’s not okay to let your anxiety overcome you and interfere with your success. There are steps you can take to make your test-taking experience manageable.

First, and most obvious, you need to be prepared for your test. This starts with having a good record of going to class, completing assigned readings and being engaged in class lectures and activities. Then once it comes time for your tests, studying becomes a review of the material you have already heard or seen rather than the first introduction of the material.

Next, make sure you know what will be covered. Discussing the test with your professor or referring to your syllabus for the chapters and topics that will be on the exam will offer you the framework for your studying and can help reduce uncertainty. When in doubt, just ask your professor. They are the person that wrote it after all.

Surely you’ve heard it before, but you must avoid last minute cram sessions. Pulling an all-nighter before an exam will leave you fatigued and even more overwhelmed. Plan to study for your tests over the course of the week using flashcards, reading aloud, asking friends to quiz you or simply go over your notes.

Finally, and maybe a bit hokey, but practice positive thinking. It will do you no good to dwell over how hard you think the test will be, how you don’t understand anything the professor taught, or how your low test scores in the past have shot your confidence. Focus on getting yourself prepared for the test, understanding the expectations of the exam and being optimistic about the results and you will find yourself in a much more calm state.

Good luck on those tests!