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Take the fear out of EOG! |
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Test anxiety is when a student excessively worries about doing well on a test. This can become a major hindrance on test performance and cause extreme nervousness and memory lapses among other symptoms. These Do’s and Don’ts are provided to help them feel more confident and more in control during testing. |
DON’T
- Don’t cram for an exam. The amount you learn won’t be worth the stress.
- Don’t think of yourself or the test in a negative sense.
- Don’t stay up late studying the night before. You need the sleep. Begin studying a week in advance if possible.
- Don’t spend time with classmates who generate stress for you on test day.
- Don’t take those last few moments before the test for last minute cramming. Try to relax and spend that time reading the newspaper or some other distraction.
- Don’t Sell Yourself Short Perhaps one of the most important ways that you can do better is simply by having a positive attitude. Don’t sell yourself short by saying things like, "I just don’t have a brain for math." Set high expectations and rise to the occasion.
DO
- Do remind yourself that the test is only a test.
- Do Remember Problems Can Be Solved in Different Ways While some problems in math may have only one solution, there may be many ways to get the right answer. Learning is not only finding the correct answer, it’s also a process of solving problems and applying what you have learned to new problems.
- Do Show Your Work It’s tempting to skip steps, but it’s better to get into the habit of showing all of your work. That way, it’s easier to correct mistakes.
- Do Learn How to Use a Calculator Effectively It’s okay to use calculators and computers to solve math problems. In fact, students are often required to use them to do homework and take tests.
- Do Use Flash Cards Use flash cards to organize information or test yourself.
- Do reward yourself after the test with food or a movie or some other treat.
- Do something relaxing the last hour before the test.
- Do tell yourself that you will do your best on the test, and that will be enough!
Exam Day: I Will Survive |
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Have a Positive Attitude Approach the big test as you’d approach a giant jigsaw puzzle. It might be tough, but you can do it! A positive attitude goes a long way toward success.
Eat well Did you know that you think better when you have a full stomach? So don’t skip breakfast the morning of the test. Studies show that you need good nutrition to concentrate and perform your best.
Review Cramming does not work If you have worked hard up until the test you should do a quick review and get to bed early. Remember your brain and body need sleep to function well, so don’t stay up late!
Review the whole test before you start See how many sections and what types of questions are on the test.
Jot down your first thoughts From your first look at the test, take quick notes on ideas you might forget.
Use scratch paper This will help you figure out if the question does not seem clear or if the answer seems ambiguous.
Circle key words in difficult questions. This will help you focus on the main idea of challenging questions.
Read the directions Never assume that you know what the directions say.
Answer easy questions first Answering easier questions may jog your memory about useful facts. You may also come across information that can help you with other questions.
Go back to the difficult questions While looking over the test and doing the easy questions, your subconscious mind will have been working on the answers to the hardest ones. Also, later items on the test might give you useful or needed information for earlier items.
Answer every question There’s no penalty for wrong answers, it can’t hurt to try.
Identify key words
I’m Stuck! Those tricky problems can knock you off balance. Don’t get worried or frustrated. Reread the question to make sure you understand it, and then try to solve it the best way you know how. If you’re still stuck, circle it and move on. You can come back to it later. What if you have no idea about the answer? Review your options and make the best guess you can.
Rephrase difficult questions To understand questions better, rewrite them in your own words, but be careful not to change the meaning.
Multiple-Choice Questions The process of elimination can help you choose the correct answer in a multiple-choice question. Start by crossing off the answers that couldn’t be right. Then spend your time focusing on the possible correct choices before selecting your answer.
Use all of the time you’re given If you finish early, don’t race out. If you have extra time, cover up your answers and actually rework the question.
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