This is a Test: Test-Taking Tips for Managing Anxiety and Getting Results

Before we start, we have a few opinions about exams:

1. End of year exams cause a lot of undue stress for students, teachers, and parents.
2. Perspective is important – exams are part of a numbers game. Sometimes the exam is worth far less than the student thinks it is, depending on how the grades were broken down in the course outline. For example, in Quebec, Term 2 is only worth 20% of the year’s grade. Even if tests are worth 50% of the term, it only accounts for 10 total grades at the end of the year. A poor grade will likely not ruin the year for high school students, but the process of taking exams is good preparation for the demands of post-secondary education.
3. The best way to prevent stress during exams is to prepare thoroughly. A carefully scheduled and implemented study plan can prevent much stress come the day of the test.

Exams can be stressful situations and your nerves can get the better of you if you’re not prepared. Some people even report “going blank” on tests where they forget everything they studied. This happens because the anxiety alarms are going off and the body is getting ready to run or fight. Neither of these are options when writing a test, so here is a procedure to help get you re-focused if you ever feel that you’re going blank. 

Breathe: To counter the automatic stress response that is triggered in your body, controlling your breathing can help to re-focus and kickstart the parasympathetic nervous system, which is what is responsible for recovering from a stress response. Inhale through your nose for four counts , exhale through your mouth for five counts, and breathe from your belly imagining that it is just like a balloon – filling with air as you are breathing in and deflating as you are breathing out.

Drink Water: Another way to trigger the parasympathetic nervous system is to drink water. Bring a bottle of water with you to the exam so that you can sip it to regain your composure. Staying hydrated also helps with maintaining focus.

Have a Test-Taking Procedure:

1. Read the test
2. Answer the easy questions
3. Answer the questions that are worth more
4. Answer the remaining questions 
5. Show all your work
6. Take a 30 second break – breathe, drink some water, stretch your neck, shoulders, or hands
7. Revise – read each question and answer it in your own words before looking at your answer and see if the two responses match
8. Do not change your answer unless you are 100% correct

We recommend the above test-taking procedure, but we also understand that there are different approaches to consider depending on what kinds of questions are on the test. For example, an essay requires a different procedure than multiple choice. The point, however, is to have a game plan going in. The more that you feel in control, the more confident and relaxed you will be.

Remember, test-taking is a skill and requires practice. While studying, try to complete mock exams so that you can practice not only the content, but also the procedure.

We wish best of luck to all students who are writing their final exams! You got this!