Students experience anxiety due to exams

Claire Murphy, A&S '11, dreads taking exams. "I sit down and get focused on an exam, but as soon as I see a problem I don't know, I get nervous and just assume that I don't know anything," Murphy says.

She probably knows the content on her exams because she paid attention in class, did her homework, read the chapters, and did the practice problems. However, Murphy, like so many other Boston College students, cannot help but get extremely nervous during her exam. Murphy's reaction to tests is a reaction known as test anxiety.

A little anxiety before an exam is normal. Professor Ann Barry of the communication department explains why tests cause such unease. "Tests are opportunities to show what you know and to get a good grade that will give you a better GPA and put you in a better position to get the job or the further graduate education that you want," Barry says. "So everyone is at least a little concerned that the questions will be the ones they expect and that they will achieve what they hope to."

So, if a little anxiety is to be expected and can even at times be helpful, why do some students' nerves affect their exam performance more than others?

Perhaps some of it has to do with the structure of classes. Classes that rely heavily upon a student's performance on two or three exams to determine the final grade cause a lot of anxiety to develop as exams approach. Murphy explains that in her pre-med classes, much of her final grade depends on a few tests. "It's become a self-perpetuating thing that once you screw up a test, it's really hard to get back to it," she says.

Murphy, however, does not experience the same level of anxiety for her non-science classes. "In the other classes, I go in knowing I can do it. But in the science classes, I've just persuaded myself that I can't," she says. So there must be more to test anxiety than the number of tests in a class.

Multiple things can trigger test anxiety. Common causes tend to be inadequate preparation for exams or focus on prior errors. Perfectionism can allow for the rapid development of test anxiety as well.

Barry explains that emotions also play a role in how students react to taking tests. "Some students feel emotionally overwhelmed by the test situation, and for these students, the experience can be close to terrifying," Barry says. "They are, in effect, emotionally high-jacked and can't think clearly. And, of course, they know this ahead of time, so they worry more."

Test anxiety can manifest itself in the form of misreading questions, forgetting material that was studied, fidgeting constantly, being easily distracted and/or daydreaming. These symptoms all culminate in creating a situation that does not allow the student to perform his or her best.

Some students may not even experience the worst of their anxiety during the exam. Many find that trying to determine how they performed on an exam creates the greatest anxiety, after the testing period is over. This, of course, causes the student to have severe anxiety when they receive their exams back. It can even make it difficult for the student to go over his or her mistakes.

So how can students control their test anxiety? The most common answer is prepare as best as possible for the exams. Most professors advise the use different studying techniques; this allows the content being studied to implant itself in the mind. When reading the chapters, focus on the titles and subtitles of the chapters. Make outlines of the information or take notes while reading, too.

Asking for help from professors may be another alternative. "They want you to succeed. Ask for study tips a week before the test," Barry says.

But what about those students like Murphy who already work hard to prepare and still experience severe symptoms of test anxiety?

The day of the exam, students need to mentally prepare themselves. Murphy runs before an exam. She then listens to music on the way to the exam. "I basically try to do anything to keep my mind off the fact that I am taking an exam that day," Murphy says. Getting a good night's sleep and a good breakfast the day of the exam is also important in making sure your mind is working correctly. Exercise, laughter, and even just being outside can help students remain calm.

Then, go into the exam with a positive attitude. Remember that mistakes happen. Whatever happens during the exam, try to stay relaxed. When negative thoughts come to mind, stop and think of the positive. Focus on the questions and answers that are known, and don't dwell on the ones that seem tricky. After the exam, unwind by doing something nice, like throwing in a movie or enjoying a dessert.

When exams are given back, look it over and try to figure out the right answers. Go to the professor or the teaching assistant and ask for help.

Test anxiety can be a difficult thing to deal with, but help is plentiful. Professors and TA's may be able to help, but if they can't, the Connor's Family Learning Center also offers services to guide students to better test-taking habits. As Barry advises, "If you have test anxiety, take it on as a personal challenge to overcome, and get some help. The worst thing you can do about it is nothing."