| Most students sit down to take a test with only | | | | person that has a good attitude and believes that |
| educational material preparation. Hardly ever do | | | | today is a positive day that will bring positive |
| students prepare their emotional, psychological or | | | | experiences; they will likely have a good day. |
| mental being for what is about to occur. Testing is | | | | Attitude is very important in the test taking |
| a nerve wracking process and most people | | | | experience; students must have a positive |
| believe that because they know the information | | | | outlook to perform well on a test. |
| that they will do fine and there is not need to | | | | Another important factor in the test taking |
| prepare the psyche. This generally works until the | | | | experience is following the directions and slowing |
| student sits down after studying hard for the | | | | down. It may be fun to be the first person |
| exam and everything goes blank, they can not | | | | finished with an exam, but it is not always the |
| remember any of the information. This happens | | | | best thing. Most questions that are marked wrong |
| more than most people think, believe it or not | | | | are products of improper reading or not following |
| your mind controlled by anxiety can cause you to | | | | the directions. Students read over questions so |
| bomb a test miserably. These are tips and skills | | | | quickly they may miss a word or add one in |
| that everyone can use, not only those that suffer | | | | some cases, causing them to mark the incorrect |
| from severe test anxiety, but anyone that is put | | | | answer. This happens often on tests and after |
| in the test taking situation. | | | | the student re-reads the test they find their |
| Anxiety is the leading cause of trouble on an | | | | mistake. By slowing down and reading the |
| academic test. It may not only be because the | | | | instructions, carefully reading each question, it |
| student is worried about the information on the | | | | increases the chances of a correct answer. For |
| test, but also other life events that can not be | | | | some students it is a matter of not knowing the |
| turned off because it is test time. Unfortunately | | | | correct answer and has nothing to do with the |
| our mind works all the time and it is impossible to | | | | instructions or slowing down. In this case it is best |
| differentiate between the test and the fight with | | | | to use logic to answer the question. There are |
| the girl/boy friend last night. Though students can | | | | generally at least two of the answers of a |
| not completely remove stress and anxiety from | | | | multiple choice question that are blatantly wrong. |
| their mind for the test they can do what is called | | | | Rule those two out very first and then |
| clearing the mind. This allows students to focus | | | | concentrate on the other two. Using logic to |
| their attention, therefore perform better on the | | | | answer the question sometimes will help guess |
| exam. | | | | the correct answer. Another trick is to answer |
| Clearing the mind is a process of relaxation and | | | | the questions in order and not skip around on the |
| slowing down. The student must concentrate on | | | | test. Sometimes one question will help you resolve |
| breathing and the actual test in front of them. | | | | another or give a good clue to the correct |
| Once immersed in the environment and test they | | | | answer. Plus by skipping around you are likely to |
| will be fine. By taking deep breaths and letting the | | | | leave a question or two unanswered. The mind is |
| muscles of the body relax the individual will be | | | | a logical piece, likened to a piece of machinery. |
| able to turn their attention to the task at hand. | | | | Never would you see a computer skipping around |
| This works not only for test taking, but with | | | | answering questions haphazardly. Follow the |
| anything where the student needs to turn their | | | | questions one to the next and it allows your mind |
| attention to something else. | | | | to stay focused. |
| Changing one's attitude is not always easy to do | | | | Testing is not the favorite topic of most students. |
| and many feel that it is merely impossible, but | | | | However there are ways to make it a little more |
| that is not correct. Some claim that they can tell | | | | pleasant. Take the time to study and do not |
| whether the day will be a good one or bad one | | | | cram the night before. This disorganizes thoughts |
| when they get up in the morning. There may be | | | | and information within the mind, which can cause |
| some truth to this because many psychological | | | | you to perform poorly on the exam. Prepare not |
| research efforts have shown that people can | | | | only from the class material or study guide, but |
| control their moods by their attitudes. That is | | | | also take the time to prepare the mind and body. |
| correct attitudes can control mood! If a person | | | | Relax before the exam and make sure that you |
| tells themselves that today is lousy and | | | | are ready. Go to the test with a full stomach, |
| everything about today is lousy, guess what, they | | | | clear mind, and positive attitude for a passing |
| are setting themselves up. On the other hand, the | | | | grade! |