Overcoming Test Anxiety Caused by Low Self-Esteem

Test anxiety is a feeling that every student has felt at some point. For many students test anxiety can result from having a low self-esteem. A student can have an excellent learning and retainment ability, and make good grades on in-class work and homework. However, when the time comes to take a test or exam, the student freezes up and fails. He or she gets a sudden feeling of failure and sudden lack of confidence in self-ability.

Over Coming Test Anxiety
Students whose test anxiety comes from low confidence can work to build their confidence.

Practice Taking Test
One good way of overcoming test anxiety is to practice taking tests. Use the tests in the text books. Every text book has a test at the end of each chapter. When taking a practice test always time yourself. Invite fellow classmates to take the practice tests. Together it will give a classroom feeling. After taking the tests, grade them together, and discuss any problems that were missed. Also meet with one's professor or teacher and discuss the subject matter of missed problems and questions to gain a better understanding of the concepts.

Taking a variety of practice tests can familiarize a student with possible formats and subject matter to expect on the actual tests. Hopefully during the actual exams a student would feel more at ease and confident.

Taking The Actual Exam
When taking the actual exam, do all of the questions and problems that you are able to easily complete. Then go back and complete the hard questions and problems. Dwelling on hard problems waste time. Their difficulty can cause a student to panic and affect his or her ability to complete the exam.

When doing difficult problems and questions, work them to achieve maximum points. Always show your work. In detail show the process for solving problems. A student can get points for using the proper process and concept even though the answer may be wrong.

Self Motivation
After taking a test, a student should complement him or herself. Also talk to other students about the test. Ask them what part of the test they had difficulty with and how did they solve the difficult problems. When communicating with fellow students you get a feeling of not being alone and there are others like you.

Also create a list of all of your test scores and look at the list often. The list of scores can act as a motivational tool to encourage a student to strive for higher or no lesser scores.

Feeling test anxiety is a national feeling for all students. However, a student must not allow him or herself to be overwhelmed by it.