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Test Anxiety

General information about Test anxiety and tips for dealing with it.

Test Taking Strategies

General Don't rush! Wear a watch or sit where you can see the clock to make sure you are pacing yourself. Start with the portions of the test you know well. Only re-check your answers if it doesn't increase your anxiety. Multiple Choice Think about what the answer may be before you even look at the choices. Start by reading all answer choices and eliminate any that you know are wrong. Each answer you can eliminate increases the chance that a guess will be correct. Pay special attention to words like "all", "most", "always", "no", "not" and "never" Essay/Short Answer Create a short outline for yourself before you begin writing Only answer the questions that are asked. Providing more information could lower your score if any of the information you present is inaccurate. If you can't remember a specific term describe it so you are still able to show what you know. Don't panic if you can't answer every part of a question. Talk about what you DO know-getting partial credit is better than no credit. Look for key terms and make sure you use them.

General

  • Don't rush! Wear a watch or sit where you can see the clock to make sure you are pacing yourself.
  • Start with the portions of the test you know well.
  • Only re-check your answers if it doesn't increase your anxiety.

Multiple Choice

  • Think about what the answer may be before you even look at the choices.
  • Start by reading all answer choices and eliminate any that you know are wrong. Each answer you can eliminate increases the chance that a guess will be correct.
  • Pay special attention to words like "all", "most", "always", "no",  "not" and "never" 

Essay/Short Answer

  • Create a short outline for yourself before you begin writing
  • Only answer the questions that are asked. Providing more information could lower your score if any of the information you present is inaccurate.
  • If you can't remember a specific term describe it so you are still able to show what you know.
  • Don't panic if you can't answer every part of a question. Talk about what you DO know-getting partial credit is better than no credit.
  • Look for key terms and make sure you use them.