Test-Taking Without Fear 1. A certain amount of fear or anxiety before or during a test is normal, and it can even help you focus your resources on solving the immediate problem. But, irrational fear, or excessive anxiety about a test situation is detrimental to concentration and performance. The good news is that there are ways to eliminate the crippling anxiety and fear that plague some students before and during exams.
Test preparation begins the first day of class.
Keep up with reading assignments, underline important facts, and make written notes of points emphasized by your instructor. Don't wait until the last minute to prepare for a test. Frantic, last-minute cramming usually results in confusion and increased anxiety. From your instructor, find out the type of test being given. Be sure to find out about the length of the exam and the topics covered, and write down the date, time, and place of the exam.