Welcome to the Academic & Pre-Professional Advising Center

Throw away the anxiety:

How to take a college-level test and do well!

Sandra has her first Chemistry test tomorrow. She stays up all night studying and drinking coffee. By the time the sun rises, she feels pumped and prepared to take the test. She runs to the cafeteria in her residence hall, grabs some more coffee and a doughnut and makes her way to class. When she gets there, the Scantron form and the test are being handed out. She quickly looks over the test, and begins to feel a knot forming in her stomach. She looks around the room and everyone is quickly filling in the bubbles but she can't answer the first question. She begins to panic and becomes overwhelmed with the feeling that she's going to fail her first college test.

College tests don't have to be overwhelming—if you have prepared in advance. Sandra
made several critical mistakes when she was studying for her Chemistry test, and while she
was taking the test itself.

Let's take a closer look at her study/test taking strategy…

1. Sandra didn't begin studying until the night before the test. To adequately prepare to take a test, it is important to begin studying from the first day of class.Read over your notes after each lecture or at least 1-2 times per week.

2. Sandra also denied herself the rest she needed to be in good physical shape to do her best on the test. It is important to get some sleep, lay off the caffeine, and have a good dinner the night before a test.

3. Instead of drinking more coffee, Sandra should have tried to get to her classroom early. Arriving early allows you to have a chance to assess your surroundings, and make sure you have sharpened pencils, or a pen that isn't out of ink.

4. Looking over the test once you receive it is a good idea. You should also take some time to jot down a few notes (on scrap paper, not the test itself) about some of the more difficult questions. Sometimes brainstorming for keywords can help.

5. Sandra also allowed herself to become overwhelmed, almost to the point of becoming physically ill. Rather than attempting to answer some of the easier questions first, she gave up altogether.

Preparation is the key to overcoming test-taking anxiety. With planning and preparation, you can develop a successful strategy to help you overcome test-taking anxiety.