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Best Online Studying Tools for Nervous Test Takers
| Published: 1st June 2015 17:56 |
The education system relies heavily on standardised testing to determine success in both primary and secondary school. The pressure to test well can cause anxiety for millions of students of all ages. According to the American Test Anxieties Association, 16-20 percent of students suffer from severe test anxiety while another 18 percent suffer from moderate anxiety. That mean approximately a third of our students feel immense pressure before taking a test that could guide their academic future.
All over the world, tests act as barriers — from college to a driver's license. In the United Kingdom, resources are in place to help new drivers who might be great on the road but have trouble with written portions of the test.
The attitude towards anxiety has come a long way over the years and there are many resources to treat anxiety before the day of the big test.
Colleges & Universities
No one knows the burden of test anxiety better than higher education. University students deal with pressure to succeed with midterms and finals making up a sizable portion of a student's grade.
Luckily, universities are heavily invested in student success and offer test anxiety help. If you're enrolled in college, speak to someone at your campus student center (typically a place where tutoring happens) about test anxiety. They'll have a number of strategies to help. Even if you're not enrolled in university, many schools post resources regarding testing anxiety online. Utah University, for example, dedicates a section of its Academic Resource Center to anxiety, covering test prep, assessment, strategies and stress management.
Nonprofits for Children
University resources might be too sophisticated for young children, but there are not-for-profit organizations that deal with child mental health and development, and even specifically in testing anxiety.
Teens Health is a great resource for any parent (not just for teens). Its section on testing anxiety offer tips and training to make testing easier, but also helps address the root issues of anxiety and gives both parents and children ways to deal with stress at its core.
Straight to the Source
Even the people who create standardised tests are aware of anxiety and take steps to help address it. The most popular standardised test — the SAT — offers free practice tests and training to help prep for the real thing. Some of the prep tests come straight from the SAT and others are offered by third-party organisations. Your best bet is to try two or three to make sure you cover all grounds before taking an official test.
Talk to Your Doctor
Free online sources are great and very useful, but severe anxiety is a diagnosable disorder and you should talk to your doctor if you feel it's out of hand. If you don't want to resort to medication, your doctor can refer you to therapy or counseling.
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