How to Ace Your Next Exam and Beat Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is a normal reaction to exams, as tests often play such a crucial role in our grades and Grade Point Averages. And while it might be tempting to put off studying for that next big exam until the night before, procrastination really doesn't pay. Munching Doritos and drinking coffee until 4 a.m. before the test won't allow you to retain any information, not to mention you will be too tired to concentrate during the big event. But here are a few easy-to-follow tips that could make your next test-taking experience a breeze.

Good test takers know that test preparation is a process, not a cram session. Usually your professors will give you fair warning via the syllabus as to when an exam will take place. Make sure to keep up with the reading before each class and ask questions about things you don't understand during class time. This will insure that the information sinks in. Also, take organized notes that you can refer to while you study. Don't write down everything the professor says, or you'll be too distracted by note taking to process the lesson.

Now that you have a decent grasp on the content and have taken copious notes, it's time to study. Give yourself plenty of time. Cramming will only increase anxiety about the test. It's never too early to start reviewing, but usually a week before the exam is a good time to start. This should keep the information fresh in your mind. To review, reread information. If you're having trouble remembering certain points, summarize them and connect them to information you already know and remember. This is the best way to add new information to memory.

Even if you're very well prepared, some people still feel nervous about exams, and who can blame them? To calm these feelings, get a good, eight hours of sleep the night before the exam to make sure you will be alert and attentive during the exam. Being well rested will significantly reduce the chances that you will make errors in reading and judgment, and your memory will be easier to access.

If you're an exerciser, following your routine in the morning of the exam will do wonders to calm and wake you. If you're not an exerciser, doing some light stretching or walking can help boost your heart rate and release endorphins to make you feel good and confident. Even a very mild exercise before taking a test can help to reduce stress.

Also, eat a good breakfast. (This is something you should do everyday, right)? Have a bowl of cereal; make some eggs; have a cup of coffee. Whatever your normal routine is, follow that. But don't skip out on food, as food will keep you going through your day and your exam. Foods with protein are extra good to help brain functioning.

You've made it this far, but right before a test is often when people get really nervous. To relax, try doing some deep-breathing exercises. Close your eyes (or keep them open if you're feeling self-conscious), and take a deep inhale through your nose for about five seconds. Make sure you can feel your breath expanding your diaphragm. Then exhale for the same amount of time, squeezing your stomach in gently to release all the used air.

Another important aspect of this exercise is blocking out the noise around you. Many times a testing room is filled with the nervous chatter of others. Try not to listen to people talking around you, especially if they're talking about test material. This will not only distract you, but it can make you second-guess yourself, also.

To keep yourself alert and less nervous during the test, try sucking on a piece of hard candy. The sugar will slowly enter your bloodstream, and the candy being in your mouth will distract your mind from being nervous. A piece of chewing gum might also help to relieve some nervous tension.

If the test is multiple-choice, stick to your original answer, even if you think you might be wrong. About 98 percent of the time, your first choice will be correct. The same is true for true and false questions. Don't get stuck on questions you don't know. Make a note and come back to them, if you have time. If you're taking an essay exam, it will help to create a quick outline to summarize the points you would like to make. It will also keep your essay more organized and easier to read, a big plus for whoever is doing the grading.