PREPARE
WELL IN ADVANCE. Keep up day to day, if you can; but don't
judge yourself harshly if you don't. Avoid last-minute
cramming. Don't go without sleep the night before (though
4 or 5 hours may be enough). Stop studying an hour or
so before the test and relax and compose yourself.
KNOW TIME AND PLACE of the test and what you need to bring.
Be on time, neither too early nor too late, with blue
books or supplies. Don't rush.
DON'T TALK ABOUT THE TEST with classmates immediately
beforehand, if you know it raises your anxiety level.
To do so may nourish group paranoia.
Read over the test and PLAN YOUR APPROACH. Ascertain point
values per part, time limits for each section, which question
you'll start with, etc.
Don't hesitate to ASK FOR CLARIFICATION from the professor,
teaching assistant, or proctor if you have questions about
directions, procedure, etc., rather than letting anxiety
build up because you aren't sure about what you are expected
to do.
DEVELOP AN AGGRESSIVE, YET REALISTIC ATTITUDE. Approach
the test vigorously determined that you will do your best;
but also accept the limits of what you know at the moment.
Use everything you know to do well; but don't blame yourself
for what you don't know.
ACTIVITY REDUCES ANXIETY. If you go blank and can't think
of anything to write, go on to another question or another
part of the test. On an essay, jot down anything you can
recall on scratch paper to stimulate your memory and get
your mind working.
RELAX YOURSELF PHYSICALLY during the test, if you notice
that you are not thinking well or are tight. Pause, lay
your test aside, and take several slow, deep breaths.
Concentrate on your breathing. Do this if you notice that
you are worrying excessively about one problem, not reading
carefully, forgetting information you know.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE TEST, not to yourself or others.
Don't waste time worrying, doubting yourself, wondering
how other people are doing, blaming yourself, etc. Don't
worry about what you should have done; pay attention to
what you can do now.
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