Transcript Slide 1

THE MISSING PIECE Celebrations of Learning
Michael Frizell, Director, The Writing Center
[email protected]
Test Anxiety Questionnaire
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____ I have visible signs of nervousness such as sweaty
palms, shaky hands, and so on right before a test.
____ I have “butterflies” in my stomach before a test.
____ I feel nauseated before a test.
____ I read through the test and feel that I do not
know any of the answers.
____ I panic before and during a test.
____ My mind goes blank during a test.
____ I remember the information that I blanked on
once I get out of the testing situation.
____ I have trouble sleeping the night before a test.
____ I make mistakes on easy questions or put
answers in the wrong places.
____ I have difficulty choosing answers.
Interpreting the Results
Now add up your score on all the statements.
Scores will range from 10 to 50.
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A low score (10-19 points) indicates that you do not
suffer from text anxiety.
Scores between 20 and 30 indicate that, although
you exhibit some of the characteristics of test
anxiety, the level of stress and tension is probably
healthy.
Scores over 30 suggest that you are experiencing an
unhealthy level of test anxiety. You should evaluate
the reason(s) for the distress and identify strategies
for compensating.
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Source: www.unc.edu/depts/ucc.html August 2001
Symptoms of Test Anxiety
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Fear of failing before arriving to take the exam.
Feeling tension as exam is being passed out.
Physical symptoms such as: increased heart rate,
shortness of breath, perspiring, etc.
Negative thinking such as: "I am going to fail," "I
am dumb," "I shouldn't even bother taking the
exam."
"Blanking out" on information that you studied.
Recalling information, upon leaving the classroom
or a short period later, that you "blanked out on"
during the exam.
Frustrated with your grade on the exam because
you know you were well prepared.
Controlling Test Anxiety
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Some is needed.
Overprepare…to a point.
Become desensitized to
test environments &
formats.
Develop & practice various
kinds of tests & questions.
Take practice tests.
Controlling Test Anxiety
Change/stop
negative thoughts.
 Prepare body.
 Breathing &
relaxation exercises
before & during
exam.
 Take control.
 Seek help.
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Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety
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Prepare for the exam ahead of time. "Cramming"
is a big culprit of test anxiety.
Get plenty of rest and sleep the night before the
exam.
Don't forget to eat the day of the exam,
preferably something nutritious.
Avoid arriving too early or late to the exam.
Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety
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Avoid last minute studying;
remember you are already
prepared.
Avoid listening to others or
discussing the exam with
others while you waiting for
the exam. The anxiety of
others can "rub off" and
suddenly you begin to doubt
yourself.
Don't forget to breathe! Take
deep breaths to help you
relax, don't worry nobody will
notice!
Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety
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While you are taking deep breaths,
replace any negative thoughts with
positive thoughts.
Don't get bogged down and worry
about questions you don't know,
move on. Later, the answer may come
to you or you may get clues from
other exam questions.
Reward yourself when you are
finished with the exam.
Preparing for Exams
When the Exam is Announced:
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Find out what the exam will or won't cover.
Find out what kind of exam it will be: objective,
short essay, long essay, or a combination.
Preparing for Exams
Exam Study:
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Prepare summary sheets for large amounts
of lecture and textbook notes.
Spend several nights before an exam making
a final review of notes.
Stress the following areas in your review:
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Points emphasized in class or in the text;
Areas the professor has advised for study:
Questions in study guides, past quizzes, and
reviews at the end of textbook chapters.
Preparing for Exams
Objective exams: Study as if it were an essay exam.
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Stress specifics:
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Definitions of key terms and examples;
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Lists of items;
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For True/False, write some false statements.
Essay Exams:
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Stress concepts.
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List probable questions.
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Prepare a good outline answer and practice it.
Problem Exams:
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Memorize formulas if needed.
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Practice problems.
5-Day Exam Prep Strategy
Before beginning the five-day countdown you should
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Collect all materials needed to review.
Schedule at least three 20-30 minute review sessions for
each of the five days preceding the exam.
Plan the content of each review session.
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What materials will you cover?
How long to spend on each part?
What method will you use to review the material?
Make a calendar with specific times, activities, subject
matter to be covered and materials needed.
Day 5: Reading
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Set a timer or alarm
clock for 20-30
minutes so you can
work without
interruption.
Schedule a 5-10
minute break between
each study session.
Reading must be
completed on this day.
Day 4: Textbook Mastery
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Set a timer or alarm
clock for 20-30
minutes.
Schedule a 5-10 minute
break between each
review session.
Review all textbook
reading material using a
textbook mastery
review technique.
Review questions at the
end of the chapters.
Review each instructormade study guide.
Day 3: Vocabulary
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Set a timer or alarm clock.
Schedule 5-10 minute breaks.
Study the vocabulary words systematically,
using either a self-made glossary or 3 x 5
cards.
Try to recall the definition by looking at the
word and then try to recall the word by
looking at the definition.
Do not study the words in the same order
each time.
Be sure you can give the definition, recall
the term from the definition, spell the word
correctly, and give an example of each term.
Day 2: Lecture Notes
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Set a timer or alarm.
Schedule 5-10
minute breaks.
Review all lecture
notes and handouts
using a mastery
technique.
Make outlines or use
mapping techniques
to organize material.
Day 1: Problem Areas
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Set a timer or alarm clock.
Schedule 5-10 minute breaks.
Review the following:
all lecture notes
all textbook notes
all instructor-made handouts and/or
study guides
all vocabulary words
The Night Before the Test
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Plan to complete these
activities early enough
that the evening before
the exam is free.
At this point you should
feel confident that you
are prepared for the
exam.
Relax!
Taking Control
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As you start the exam—
Listen closely to oral directions.
Look over the entire test and read
carefully directions in each section.
Follow directions exactly.
Look for total number of questions
and make sure all pages are
attached.
Ask for time allotment and budget
time accordingly.
Begin with the questions you know
to build confidence.
Taking Control
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Mark questions you’re unsure of and recheck
later.
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Your first guess may not always be the best.
Other questions may jog memory or provide
answers.
Know what the question asks for before
selecting an answer.
If you note what appears to be a typo, ask
the teacher about it; it may not be.
Briefly scan any text, figures, charts, or
drawings that accompany a question; then
read the questions.
Answer every question.
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A blank answer is always wrong…
a guess may be right!
10 Traps to Studying
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"I don't know where to
begin!"
"I've got so much to study
and so little time."
"This stuff is so dry, I can't
even stay awake reading it."
"I read it. I understand it.
but I just can't get it to sink
in."
"I guess I understand it."
10 Traps to Studying
"There's too much to
remember."
 "I knew it a minute ago."
 "But I like to study in bed."
 "Cramming before a test
helps keep it fresh in my
mind."
 "I'm gonna stay up all night
'til I get this!"
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THANK YOU!
Michael Frizell, Director
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
[email protected]
 www.missouristate.edu/writingcenter
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