Stress Management for Test Takers

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Stress Management for Test Takers
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Stress Can Be

• Helpful- help you accomplish goals set
• Harmful- continuation of stress for prolonged
  periods of time, can lead to depression, anxiety,
  and fatigue.
• Stress related to test-taking
• can take either of these form.

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Preparation

• Be proactive in Studying exams start next week,
  take some of the test taking strategies learned
  today and begin to use them in anticipation of
  finals coming up
• Study area- should be quiet and away from
  distractions, no phones, computers, or friends
• Resist- temptation to get up and eat, wash
  clothes, call home, and all the other
  distractions that come up when you sit down to
  finally study
• Position- avoid laying on your bed, be some place
  comfortable but not to comfortable that you cant
  concentrate
• Take frequent breaks during studying- study for
  30 minutes, then take a 10-15 minute break

4
Day of the Test

• Get plenty of rest the night before- avoid
  staying up late to cram more in, chances are you
  wont remember it the next day anyway
• Get up in time to have something for breakfast-
  gives you energy and allows you to avoid
  distraction of hunger pains and stomach growls
  during the test
• Get to the test area in plenty of time to get you
  a seat- take this time to relax and prepare your
  mind for concentrating on the test- can do
  relaxation techniques during this time
• Taking the test- dont panic when you get the
  test and seemingly forget what you have studied,
  take a few minutes to collect your thoughts,
  peruse through the questions and then begin
  answering when you feel ready, some anxiety is
  normal

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Relaxation Techniques

• Deep breathing
• Progressive muscle relaxation
• Visual imagery- Imagine yourself doing well on
  the test

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Final Notes

• Recognize your limits- good to strive for all
  good grades, but allow yourself some room for
  mistakes, particularly when you have done the
  best you can do
• Reward yourself for a job well done