Math and Testing Anxiety

Testing anxiety, to a large degree, is related to test preparation. The more prepared you are the less you will experience anxiety. Following is a list of techniques to enable you to perform successfully and overcome anxiety.

Assumptions:

 You want to learn math. (No matter if only for the superficial reason that it is a required subject. There are good reasons that it is required.)  You are willing and able to do what is necessary to be a successful in math. (This involves not only a commitment to work. It also requires a positive attitude a competitive drive to succeed, and a willingness to seek help when necessary.)  You have enrolled in the appropriate level of math (Many students fail because they have managed to talk their way into a course that is beyond their ken.)  You are "teachable." (You use "internal locus of control," that is, you accept responsibility for your own life and don't blame somebody or something else for your problems.)  You are not trying to work two full-time jobs, take care of a family, and take a full load of classes.

BEFORE:

1. Set up a study schedule from the first day of class - AND FOLLOW IT!

(The easy part is setting up the schedule; the hard part is following it.)

2. Take good notes and summarize the lesson from the notes - IMMEDIATELY AFTER CLASS.

(Plan your schedule so that you have a free period right after math class.)

3. Work all the problems assigned - and more. Work the more difficult ones more than once.

(Plan your life so that you have the time necessary to do well in math. Math study time doesn't compress well.)

4. Be sure to learn and remember every important point in every section.

("Mathematics is ruthlessly cumulative." Stephen Pinker)

1 5. Work with a study-buddy.

(The only way to guarantee that you will actually study regularly.)

6. Study for short periods of time with brief rest periods between. Your brain works better that way.

7. Train for academics the same as you would train for a competitive sport.

 Live healthfully. Eat well, get sufficient sleep - especially before tests. Avoid alcohol and drugs.

DURING:

8. Keep a positive attitude. You have prepared well. Be confident as you sit the test.

9. Don't panic when you see a problem you don't understand immediately. The teacher is unlikely to ask something on the test that the lessons have not prepared you for.

10. If panic overtakes you in any way, just go along with it. Think all the way through the fear and imagine the worse.

 Go through he whole scenario: You don't pass the test; you fail the course, etc.  Try deep breathing, dynamic tensioning, meditation,

11. Research appropriate learning behaviors and testing techniques.

Do a Google search on "math anxiety" or "testing anxiety".

URLs: http://www.mathacademy.com/pr/minitext/anxiety/index.asp http://mtsu32.mtsu.edu:11064/anxiety.html http://www.mathpower.com http://www.math.com/students/advice/anxiety.html http://mathgoodies.com/articles/math_anxiety.html