1. Stages of Stress
Applied to Academic
Testing

2. Stage 1: Alarm
(“Psyched Up” for a Test)
 Initial awareness of anxiety
 Physical Symptoms (including
“butterflies,” increased perspiration, and
dryness of mouth)
 Slight increase in ability to concentrate
 Slight increase in ability to think logically
 Slight increase in ability to
recall memory

3. Stage 2: Fear
Warning Signs! Take Action!
 Feelings of fearful anxiety and/or frustration
 Additional physical symptoms (including heart
pounding, breathlessness, and muscular tension)
 Slight decrease in ability to concentrate
 Slight decrease in ability to recall memory
 Slight decrease in ability to think
logically
DEFINITELY manageable during
the test

4. Stage 3: Full Blown
Test Anxiety
 Intense feelings of anxiety, frustration,
and hopelessness
 Additional physical symptoms (including
muscle tremors, nausea, and faintness)
 Great decrease in ability to concentrate
 Great decrease in ability to think logically
 Great decrease in ability to recall memory
SELDOM manageable during the test!