Test Anxiety: Fear or Lack of Preparation, Essay Example

According to Salend, many adults and children alike report anxiety symptoms before and during a test. These symptoms are tightening chest, stomach pains or nausea, sweats and sheer panic (2011). These symptoms are commonly seen in people that suffer from anxiety disorder. This means that students suffering from test anxiety most likely have symptoms of anxiety in other areas of their lives as well. Nevertheless symptoms cause a test taker to suffer during the test and can greatly reduce their concentration and performance. Cassady, notes that approximately 25% to 40% of all students suffer from test anxiety (2010). While being unprepared for an exam would likely cause a source of apprehension the chances of a student having physical symptoms are unlikely. One method of determining whether test anxiety is based on fear or a lack of preparation is to follow a student and determine if the process continued on each test for an extended period of time. Research has shown that fear and anxiety are typically present in the brains amygdala and causes the symptoms of test anxiety (Miguel Perez de la Mora, et al, 2010). This suggests that the student is unable to control the symptoms or anxiety, which negates the theory that a lack of preparation is the only source of test anxiety.

The effects of test anxiety like other disorders can be lessened with intervention such as counseling. Counseling helps students that are having difficulty with test anxiety through assisting the student with calming or relaxation techniques (Southwestern College). Other forms of help for test anxiety include monitoring self-talk and maintaining a positive attitude. Research has shown that what a person tells him or herself can directly affect the outcome or testing score. Exposure to tests and the test taking process can also assist the student in learning to calm themselves and becoming more familiar with the control of their feelings. Test anxiety can be improved through assistance, however should not be left unaddressed because it can negatively affect a person’s educational career.

Works Cited

Miguel Pérez de la Mora, et al. “GABA ? Receptor Mechanisms In The Rat Amygdala And Its Role In The Modulation Of Fear And Anxiety.” Psychopharmacology 212.4 (2010): 475- 484.

Salend, Spencer J. “Addressing Test Anxiety.” Teaching Exceptional Children 44.2 (2011): 58- 68.

Southwestern College. Overcoming Test Anxiety. Online 4 March 2012

[http://www.swccd.edu/~asc/lrnglinks/test_anxiety.html]