Tips on Test-Taking and Test Anxiety

1. Tips on Test-Taking and Test Anxiety

2. Check Your Answers • Check all of your answers, even the ones you know are correct. • You may have read a question wrong or made a careless mistake • Use all of the testing time to answer questions and to check your responses.

3. Reducing Test Anxiety To reduce test anxiety, study enough to feel confident you know the material. Then try to replace the worry and negative thinking with positive, relaxing thoughts. The following suggestions may also help.

4. Choose a Good Study Environment • Avoid noisy locations or places that may lead to many interruptions • Pick an area with sufficient lighting • Consider the temperature of the environment • Be sure you will have access to the necessary studying equipment

5. Learn to Concentrate • Generate questions from your textbook and lecture notes • Focus on key words, concepts, and examples in your textbooks and lecture notes • Make charts and outlines which organize the information in your notes and textbooks

6. Study in Advance, Practice, & Be Confident • Start studying early. The night before a test, review material and get a good night’s sleep • Mentally practice going through the testing experience • Walk into the test with your head up and your shoulders back. How you act can affect how you feel

7. Relax During Exam • Take a deep breath, then slowly release your breath along with any tension • Start at the top of your head, flex, and then relax each part of your body • Think of a place where you feel relaxed and calm. Close your eyes and visualize being in that place

8. Reinforce Yourself After Exam • Say to yourself, it wasn’t as bad as you expected • Realize you made more out of the fear than it was worth • Remember you can be pleased with your progress • Be proud of yourself! You did it!

9. References O’Brien, L. (2009). How to get good grades in college. Dayton, OH: Woodburn Press. University at Buffalo. (2012). Test anxiety. Counseling Services. Retrieved September 20, 2012 from http://ubcounseling. buffalo.edu/stresstestanxiety.shtml.

10. Campus Resources • Counseling and Psychological Services: Commonwealth Hall, Lower Level 715 S. New Street, West Chester, PA 19383 , 610-436-2301. Individual and group services. • Department of Public Safety: Peoples Building 690 South Church Street West Chester, PA 19383 610-436-3311. Crime reporting and investigation, safe escort on campus. • Learning Assistance Resource Center: 224 Lawrence Center West Chester, PA 19382 610-436-2535. Tutoring, study skills and more. • Office of Student Conduct: Sykes Student Union, Room 238 110 W. Rosedale Ave West Chester, PA 19382, 610-436-3511 • Multicultural Center: Sykes Student Union, Room 003 West Chester, PA 19382, 610-436-3273. Services promoting academic achievement and personal well being. • Office of Social Equity: 13/15 University Avenue West Chester, PA 19383610-436-2433. Mediation and investigation of complaints of harassment and discrimination.

11. Campus Resources cont’d. • Campus Recreation: 275 North Campus Dr. West Chester, PA 19383 610-436-1732 • Student Health and Wellness Services: Commonwealth Hall, Ground Floor 610 436 2509 • Twardowski Career Development Center: 225 Lawrence Center 705 S. New Street West Chester, PA 19383 610-436-2501 • Center for Women & Gender Equity: Lawrence Center, Room 220 West Chester, PA 19383 610-436-2122. Resources, support, referrals for all women's issues. • Writing Center: FHG Library Room 251 West Chester, PA 19382 610-430-5664. Writing assistance start to finish. • Financial Aid Office: 25 University Avenue, Suite 030 West Chester, PA 19383 610-436-2627 • Scholarships: http://www.wcufoundation.org/scholarships/