How to relieve test anxiety in students?
It’s normal to feel nervous about a test. But test anxiety is different. Test anxiety can be debilitating. It causes students to feel sick, sweat and has trouble breathing.
So how can we tackle students’ test anxiety?
Let’s explore some causes of test anxiety and some ways to beat it!
Be sure to grab the free guide Soft Skills for Elementary ELA Teachers! Click here to get it now!
The Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that the 3 common causes of test anxiety are:
- Fear of failure
- Lack of adequate prep time and/or
- A bad experience taking a test in the past
It’s important to talk to students about test anxiety. At the beginning of the year, tell parents to notify you if they are aware of a child’s test anxiety.
Let’s dive into some strategies to overcome test anxiety. These strategies are simply good practices when it comes to taking a test, and if students use these strategies, they are much more likely to handle the stresses of an important test or assessment.
- Study. There are many studying techniques. One of my favourites is the Feynman Technique. This is a simple 4-step process that consists of:
- Step 1 – Study. The first step is easy. …
- Step 2 – Teach. Explain the concept to either yourself or someone else
- Step 3 – Fill the Gaps. Reteach yourself where there were gaps in your explanation during step 1
- Step 4 – Simplify. Simplify the concept as much as possible
Click here to check out my review games resource!
- Take Practice Tests-Click here to read my recent blog post about ways to incorporate practice tests into your teaching
- Get physically, emotionally and mentally ready
- Sleep
- Eat a balanced meal (avoid sugar)
- relax/meditate
- Do some positive self-talk
- Use good test-taking skills-Click here to read my recent blog post about good test-taking strategies
- Reward-Do something fun! Have a post-test party, watch a movie or play outside!
Final Thoughts
Do you have other strategies for how to relieve test anxiety in students? Comment down below!
Check out these related blog posts:
- 3 Review Games for Test Season That Your Students Will Love!
- What Are the Study Habits I Should Be Teaching My Elementary Students?
- Motivation for Students Before Exams-Ways to Develop Motivation in Your Classroom
- 5 Of the Best Test Taking Strategies For Elementary Students
Ps Don’t forget to grab the free guide Soft Skills for elementary ELA Teachers! Click here to get it now!
