Test Anxiety Interventions
Student Interventions
Physiological Interventions
Study during peek energy levels
Get plenty of rest
Get enough exercise
Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing
Recognize the stages of anxiety
Behavioral Interventions Prior to Assessment
Learn good study habits
Reward yourself
Use methods to better memorize the content
Behavioral Interventions During the Assessment
Practice relaxation techniques
Ask questions if you do not understand something
Perform a “brain dump”
Listen carefully to directions
Preview the test
Use different techniques for multiple choice and essay questions
Psychological Interventions
Be conscious of: Need to please, need to be perfect, need to be in control
Positive attitude
Be wary of negative racial and gender stereotypes
Remember past successes and how they were achieved
Teacher Interventions
Psychological Interventions
Cognitive Therapy
Densensitization
Self-Talk
Physiological Interventions
Teach relaxation training (deep breaths, visualization, relaxing muscles)
Recognize the symptoms of anxiety
Manage it before it becomes problematic
Give tests during peek energy levels
Behavioral Interventions- Teach students how to:
How to budget time
Do easier questions first
Do higher value questions first
Instructional Interventions
open-notes
open-book tests
practice questions for study
multiple choice instead of short answer essay
use of dictionary/calculator
provision of copy of the test for study
Additional Strategies:
Take home tests
Tests in small groups
Short quizzes and practice test questions
Oral responses
Use of computer
Tests that cover less material
Individual help with instructions during the test
Use these 5 steps:
Ascertainment of test-anxiety
Formative Factors
Habitual Prudence
Purposeful Learning Experiences
Test-Wise Guidelines
Parent Interventions
Behavioral and Psychological Interventions
Eliminate sugar and stimulants from diet
Encourage regular exercise
Schedule in down time
Do not overemphasize perfectionism from your child
Help your child avoid the need to always please or be in control
Academic Interventions
Set regular homework time
Provide Necessary Supplies
Provide quiet place to study
Model good examples by reading and writing
Understand and respect your child’s way of learning
Stay in touch with teachers
Model good decision making
Monitor homework leading up to a test
School Wide Interventions
Get school community members on board!
Conduct a needs assessment
Provide workshops and resources for teachers
Highly anxious students should see the counselor or psychologist
Provide for students’ nutritional needs if necessary
Give positive reinforcement to parents and students