What can I do to help my students with test anxiety?

Question

I have a LOT of students this year who barely passed my class - not because they didn't know the material, but because they get so nervous about the tests, they panic and forget everything. One of them today was taking a physics final (after reviewing with me, so I KNOW he knew the material) and was so nervous, I honestly thought he was going to have a panic attack. This isn't an extremely common problem, but he's certainly not the only one in my classes who has it. I'm thinking next year I want to do something to help them calm down before a test, or at least give them some good advice on how to do it themselves. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Have you ever watched the movie "Meatballs" with Bill Murray? There's a great scene in the movie where Bill Murray's kids are intimidated and scared about facing their opponents...I've included the dialogue below. I would suggest showing this clip to your kids and talking about it a little. Obviously tests do matter, but the important message here is that life doesn't end if you mess up on a test. You just need to do your best and keep pushing. Tell them to take a few deep breaths to calm themselves before a test and remember that "It just doesn't matter!" This always helped me to relax--in part because I thought it was funny and a little humor can go a long way in getting people to calm down.

Murray: "And even if we win, if we win, HAH! Even if we win! Even if we play so far above our heads that our noses bleed for a week to ten days; even if God in Heaven above comes down and points his hand at our side of the field; even if every man woman and child held hands together and prayed for us to win, it just wouldn't matter because all the really good looking girls would still go out with the guys from Mohawk because they've got all the money! It just doesn't matter if we win or we lose. IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER!"

Rest of group: "IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER! IT JUST DOESN'T MATTER..."

Answer 2

you could tell them "don't worry about the questions that seem hard, just do the best you can" and bribe them with candy or something so they try harder.

Answer 3

Don't make a big deal about the test before you give it.  Make sure they don't totally slack off, obviously, but don't freak them out the day before either.  They need a review session, but try to make it fun.  

Crack some stupid jokes.  My teacher told us (day before a quiz) that some japanese scientists found a way to boost memory.  Apparently, pushing at your temples and thinking about what you needed to remember helped you remember it 60% better.  Then she told us to try it -"what is the acronym for mountain?" she asked.  So we all go "m-t"  then she starts cracking up like "hahahaha yeah, m-t(empty) like your BRAINS hahahahhaa"  Lol it was so stupid but really funny and we all got to kinda laugh at how ridiculous we were being.  Like everyone completely was into this because we were so nervous, and we realized how funny we looked.  Jokes like that, or just in general should help make your kids chill...

You can also play a game for the review session.  Like jepoardy or something.  That way they have fun while reviewing so they don't stress as much.

Also just try to get them to see that it won't kill them to fail.  Just try to explain that even if they didn't study as much as they should have, they can't go back and study more.  So why worry since there's nothing they can do about it anyway? lol thats my theory anyway...maybe it'll help them...

Answer 4

don't stress how improtant tests are...tell ur students to do their best...i have that problem too...but only for teachers who make me feel like if i don't pass the final i'll fail the class...you can also teach them test taking skills...maybe that will work. it worked for me...i used to get d's on my tests now i get a's...high a's.