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Understanding Test Anxiety

Causes	Eliminators
Apprehension of not living up to other people's expectations of you.	Set your own goals and try to attain them. Don't let others determine you're aspirations.
Allowing grades to determine your personal worth.	Understand that a grade is only an approximate measure of your performance. Grades don't determine your worth as a person. They are only a guide to help your determine what you need to review.
Fear of losing the affection of significant people in your life if you don't succeed.	Know that people like you for a variety of reasons, which have nothing to do with the grade you receive on a test.
Feeling helpless and without a feeling of control over what happens with your grades.	Take control over your life and improve your study habits. Prepare for your next test and see the relationship between the amount and quality of your studying and the grade you will receive.

Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

Learn to relax
Physical anxiety can provoke or augment mental anxiety. Attempt to control physical anxiety with muscle relaxation techniques and deep breathing.
Face your fears and accept the fact that you have a problem.
This way you are in charge of eliminating the causes of your anxiety. Define your fear and determine its origin. Options are available such as visiting counseling services to discuss your test anxiety or discuss the issue with testing services.
Become task oriented and give total attention to the test.
- While papers are being passed out, silently review what you have studied in your head.
- Fight distractions and maintain focus. Keep positive thoughts in your mind.
Engage in positive self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
"I studied hard and I will pass this test. I am well prepared and I'll do my best."
Improve the way you prepare for tests. Being fully prepared will help your confidence levels. Reduce cramming and maintain a steady study schedule.
Learn to recognize signals--increased pulse rate, excessive perspiration, shallow breathing, sweaty palms, upset stomach, headache--that you are becoming anxious and then try relaxation exercises.
Dress comfortably for tests.
- Dress in layers to be prepared for warm or cool testing environments
- Wear loose-fitting clothes
Arrive early or on time at test site.
Develop a test-day tradition.
- Wear a good luck bracelet, pair of shoes, outfit, or hat.
- Go somewhere special after the test to reward yourself for the hard work you accomplished.

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The Learning Enrichment Services can assist with the achievement of your academic goals. Contact the Programs Coordinator at 824-6731.

UAH Home \| Student Affairs \| Student Development Services \| Contact us:	Sarah Holmes, Programs Coordinator Rm. 200 C University Center Huntsville • AL 35899 Phone (256) 824-6731 • Fax (256) 824-4673 holmess@email.uah.edu
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