How to Reduce Anxiety Before a Test

Don't let stress make you draw a blank on test day.

The amount of stress and anxiety that you have before a test can sometimes have an impact on your performance. You will have many tests to take during your years of schooling, so the sooner you learn to handle the stress the better. Before you put pen to paper, here are some ways to calm those jitters.

Instructions

1. Take some deep breaths to calm down. Deep breathing can help you feel more relaxed. Close your eyes, slowly breathe in and out and within minutes, you’ll start to feel the tension and your adrenaline level decrease.

2. Skim over your study materials before the test. Right before the test, quickly look over your notes. It will help you to feel more confident about the test.

3. Avoid talking to anyone else around you. Other people could have incorrect information. When you talk to them and they start putting different ideas into your head, it will confuse you and throw you off track. If someone starts talking to you, tell her nicely that you are studying and you’ll talk to her later.

4. Be confident and have faith in yourself. This is one of the best ways to reduce your anxiety before a test. A lot of the stress and anxiety you feel is from a lack of confidence in what you know. If you get down on yourself, you’re going to panic and forget everything you worked hard to remember. Think positive thoughts and don’t get flustered.