1. Lack of proper test preparation such as cramming or poor time management can lead to test anxiety. 2. When taking a test, students should focus on the present task and manage their fear, rather than thinking about past performances or other students. 3. Developing good study habits like reviewing notes daily and keeping up with readings can help students feel prepared and reduce anxiety, while cramming the night before can increase anxiety.

1. Test
Preparation

2. “Make preparations in advance.
You never have trouble if you are prepared
for it.”
~ Theodore Roosevelt

3. Coping with Test Anxiety
What Causes Test Anxiety?
Lack of preparation as indicated by:
– cramming the night before the exam.
– poor time management.
– failure to organize text information.
– poor study habits.
Worrying about the following:
– past performance on exams.
how friends and other students are doing.
the negative consequences of failure.

4. Coping with Test Anxiety
Confronting and Handling Test Anxiety
– Don't think about fear; just think about what you have to do.
– Stay relevant.
– Relax; you're in control.
– Take a slow, deep breath.
– Keep the focus on the present; what is it you have to do?
– Don't try to eliminate fear totally; just keep it manageable.
You can convince yourself to do it. You can reason your fear away.
– It's not the worst thing that can happen.
– Do something that will prevent you from thinking about fear.

5. Planning a Study Strategy
“Failing to plan is
planning to fail.”
~Alan Lakein

6. Tips for Test Taking
Long Term Prep:
– Review old tests
– Review notes daily after class
– Keep up with the reading
– Join a study group

7. Tips for Test Taking
Short Term Prep:
– One week before the test:
• Prepare a study schedule
• Put the material into a useful study tool
– Day Before:
• Have a brief review session
• Get eight hours of sleep
– Morning of test:
Eat a well-balanced breakfast (Stay away from caffeine and
sugar)

8. Tips for Test Taking
Taking the Test:
– Arrive early for tests and be prepared.
– Read the directions carefully
– Answer questions in a strategic order
• First easy questions
• Then difficult questions
– Review your test before turning it in.

9. Multiple Choice Test
1. Circle or underline important words in the item.
2. Read all the answer choices before selecting one.
3. Cross out answer choices you are certain are not correct.
4. Look for hints about the correct answer choice in other items on the test.
5. Do not change your initial answer unless you are sure another answer is
correct.
6. Choose “all of the above” if you are CERTAIN all other answer choices in the
item are correct.
7. Choose “none of the above” if you are CERTAIN all other answer choices in
the term are incorrect

10. Essay Exams
Read through the exam
Start with a prompt you are comfortable
with.
List main ideas
Create a rough outline
If you are stuck, move on.

11. Dealing with
Difficult Questions
Eliminate options you know to be incorrect
Question options that are totally unfamiliar to you ･
Question options that contain negative or absolute words.
"Look alike options"
probably one is correct; choose the best but eliminate choices that mean basically the
same thing, and thus cancel each other out.
Echo options:
If two options are opposite each other, chances are one of them is correct ･
Favor options that contain qualifiers
The result is longer, more inclusive items that better fill the role of the answer.

12. GOOD LUCK!

13. Essay Exams