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Learn strategies to combat test anxiety and enhance your performance. Study smart, prioritize health, arrive prepared, think positive, and focus during the test. Boost your confidence and excel!
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Preparing for THEtest Prepared By: Mrs. Mason
What is Test Anxiety? Nervousness that your test performance won’t show what you know. • Physical • Bodily sensations & tensions • Butterflies in your stomach, nausea, rapid heart beat or sudden sweat • Mental • Emotional & psychological • Self doubt & negative thoughts
First Tip: Study • For EOG’s – know that you have been studying each day you come to school! • Don’t wait until the night before your exam to cram. • Study over time, a little each day. • Set up a specific schedule that works for you, • idea: 15 minutes each night alternating subjects. • Use study guides, notes, homework, flashcards, and past quizzes to review.
Good Health • Exercise to reduce stress. • Physical activity increases oxygen to the brain. • It also helps thinking and memory. • Get a good nights sleep. • Fatigue can destroy concentration. • Eat a protein filled breakfast. • Energize the body and mind.
Arrive on time! • You cannot start the state test late! • What can you do? • Have your outfit picked out before bed: • Dress comfortably, wear layers in case the room/day is hotter/cooler than normal. • Set an alarm to get up early. • Transportation: Get to the bus stop early/Remind your ride about your important test.
Think Positive • The Secret: • If you think negative, your performance will be negative • ENCOURAGE yourself before, during and after the test • talk to yourself in a positive way …mentally say: “I did well on the last test, I will do well again!” “I am very relaxed!” “I am doing a great job on this test!” “I know this stuff!”
Calm your mind & body • Breathe! • Control anxiety by focusing on your breathing. • Try this: Take a deep breath: in … out … • Mentally scan your body, • Become aware of your tension. • Try This: Mentally tell the muscles in your feet that they can relax. Repeat by silently telling each group of muscles to relax.
Pay attention to directions! • You could miss something if you don’t listen to and read the directions. • Don’t look ahead to another test section. • Leave your phone, mp3, etc. at home! • Keep an eye on the time. • Use it!: • distributed paper or calculator as allowed. • breaks to stretch and relax your body and mind.
Tips for multiple-choice questions • Read each answer choice. • The first one may appear correct, but you cannot be sure until you have looked for the best answer. • Underline important key words. • Always, never, largest, youngest, etc. • Eliminate obvious incorrect answers. • Make a logical selection from the remaining options. • Don’t be afraid to skip a difficult question! • Clearly mark it and return later! • Pay attention to the time!!! Your test book may be clipped = you cannot return to previous questions.
Focus on YOUR test! • Pace yourself, keep track of the time. • Check your alignment! • Every 10 questions, make sure you bubble the correct number/answer. • If you have them, use your accommodations. • Don’t worry about how fast others finish! • There is a set time for a reason, time to do YOUR best! • Use extra time to check over your answers. • Don’t draw all over your blank sheet and act as a distraction to your fellow classmates.
Summary • Set up a study schedule that works for you. • Take care of your health – mind and body. • Arrive on time with a positive & calm attitude. • Follow the directions & use your best judgment. • Focus on your test, it is not a race, it is a chance to show what you know! • Be Confident - you have been learning the test material all school year, you know this stuff!
More Information • Ask an adult for help. • Visit the counselor’s office or website. Resources JCS Elementary Counselors. “Test Anxiety." PowerPoint presentation for Elementary Students: Test Anxiety. 2010-11. Quick tips: ways busy parents can help children succeed on standardized tests. Fairfax Station, VA: The Parents Institute, 2007. "Test anxiety." TeenHealth.Org (2010): <http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/test_anxiety.html>. "Tips for better test taking ." www.studygs.net (1996): <http://www.studygs.net/tsttak1.htm>.