10 Ways To Combat Sat And Act Test Anxiety
Many people experience test anxiety at least once or twice during their time in college. Even students with excellent grades can feel a lot of pressure just because of all the time spent thinking about taking the ACT and SAT. However, it doesn’t have to be all that intimidating – a few tips on how to deal with test anxiety can help you relax, concentrate and successfully pass your exam.
KNOW THE FORMAT
People are usually afraid of the unknown - remember that it's harder to be scared of something that you understand. You can find both ACT and SAT sample tests and give yourself a little practice. ACT and SAT have different formats and sections with limited time provided to complete each part. Knowing your time and being familiar with the tasks can help you significantly reduce the level of test anxiety.
USE BREATHING EXERCISES
"Deep breathing" is one of the easiest stress management techniques. There is no need to be a yoga pro – it is less about the certain amount of seconds for exhales and inhales and more about focusing on your breathing to calm yourself down. Breathing exercises help slow down your heart rate – thus effectively relieving a huge symptom of test anxiety. You can try various breathing techniques and find the one that helps you stay calm and focused.
STUDY BEFORE THE TEST
We all know this, but it really is better to start preparing for the ACT or SAT a few months or at least a few weeks prior. You can look up some of the old tests or sample questions from previous years. Grab an ACT review sheet or two and get studying! Test anxiety actually comes from expecting something too difficult from the test - you will definitely not feel that much stress when you know exactly what to expect.
DO TIME-MANAGEMENT
While preparing for the ACT or SAT, be sure to have enough time for both work and rest throughout the day. One of the helpful and easy fighting-test-anxiety tips is to start a study timesheet. Record the amount of time you spend to prepare for each subject, keep all of your strengths and weaknesses in mind and pay attention to all subjects accordingly.
DON'T PUSH TOO HARD
Do not let the test anxiety ruin your mental health. Take breaks, go for long walks, stay hydrated and eat well. Remember - self-care is key during test prep. It might be helpful to keep a stress diary where you can monitor the level of pressure you are currently coping with.
ASK FOR HELP
Sometimes all of us need help and it is okay to ask for it. Can your older friends share thoughts and tips on how to deal with test anxiety? Many people on the Internet have shared their own experience of taking the ACT and SAT - consider going online to research advice for stress management and tips to boost your ACT score.
TRY NOT TO CRAM
SAT and ACT cover a deeper and wider range of material than a basic school test - trying to memorize rules and numbers by heart without attempting to understand the system would not do the trick. The level of your test anxiety is not going to decrease – on the contrary, it may go up. However tempting the urge may be, there is no way successful way to cram for the ACT or SAT without delving deeper into the subject.
PREPARE REQUIRED ITEMS FOR THE TEST
Prepare all of the items that you need the night before your ACT or SAT. You are guaranteed to be less tense on the day of the test when you don’t have to run around looking for your ID or pencil in the morning. Find out what you have to bring with you a week before the test, so you can find and buy everything you need. Good preparation will help you focus on what really matters.
HELP YOUR BODY TO PREPARE
Here are some of the basic and well-known test anxiety tips for the big day. Go to bed early, set an alarm so you will have enough time to fully wake up and check that you have all the important things with you, take a shower and DO NOT forget about breakfast. Simply taking care of your body can do the trick of reducing at least some of your test anxiety symptoms. Help your body and it will help you back.
BE EXTRA CAREFUL
Taking tests is always a stress, but it is crucial to stay focused and avoid careless mistakes. Do not let the lack of concentration drag your score down. Carefully read each question, don’t rush and take your time. You always have at least a few seconds to look at the question and understand it before answering. Don’t get stuck on the question if you find it too difficult to answer at the moment. Keep going and give the answer to the questions you know for sure, so you can go back to the difficult ones later.