Test Anxiety Takes its Toll on University Students
Bryanna Lindblom: Muleskinner
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Features
With finals week quickly approaching, University Psychologist Tracy Ochester said test anxiety may become more prevalent.
Test anxiety involves any changes in an individual that affect the test-taking process or results.
"Most students experience a reasonable amount of anxiety before a test, which is necessary for top performance," Ochester said. "But when anxiety begins to damage test scores, it becomes a problem."
Stephanie Fowler, senior public relations major, said she knows all about experiencing test anxiety.
"When I test, it's not a reflection at all of how smart I am or what I know," Fowler said. "I get so freaked out I second guess myself and do even worse than if I wouldn't stress. I pretty much freak out."
Two major symptoms psychologists look at to determine if a patient has test anxiety are if a patient is highly distressed and if their ability to function is negatively affected. Some signs of test anxiety include declining grades, there is an inability to concentrate and difficulty with social interaction.
Ochester said many different factors could contribute to test anxiety but the most common one is being under-prepared. However, being under-prepared is not necessarily due to being lazy.
Lack of preparation could be a result of limited study skills, poor study habits, poor time management or learning problems. Other causes of test anxiety include inexperience with tests, competitiveness, over-valuing results, low self-confidence and a high level of pressure to do well.
According to a 2007 American Academy of Pediatrics report on WebMD, an online health site, stress in school is on the rise and is seriously affecting students.
"Colleges are seeing a generation of students who appear to be manifesting increased signs of depression, anxiety, perfectionism and stress," the report stated.
Fowler said her stress level has increased since coming to the University, and the need to do well is a major reason she experiences test anxiety.
Test anxiety involves any changes in an individual that affect the test-taking process or results.
"Most students experience a reasonable amount of anxiety before a test, which is necessary for top performance," Ochester said. "But when anxiety begins to damage test scores, it becomes a problem."
Stephanie Fowler, senior public relations major, said she knows all about experiencing test anxiety.
"When I test, it's not a reflection at all of how smart I am or what I know," Fowler said. "I get so freaked out I second guess myself and do even worse than if I wouldn't stress. I pretty much freak out."
Two major symptoms psychologists look at to determine if a patient has test anxiety are if a patient is highly distressed and if their ability to function is negatively affected. Some signs of test anxiety include declining grades, there is an inability to concentrate and difficulty with social interaction.
Ochester said many different factors could contribute to test anxiety but the most common one is being under-prepared. However, being under-prepared is not necessarily due to being lazy.
Lack of preparation could be a result of limited study skills, poor study habits, poor time management or learning problems. Other causes of test anxiety include inexperience with tests, competitiveness, over-valuing results, low self-confidence and a high level of pressure to do well.
According to a 2007 American Academy of Pediatrics report on WebMD, an online health site, stress in school is on the rise and is seriously affecting students.
"Colleges are seeing a generation of students who appear to be manifesting increased signs of depression, anxiety, perfectionism and stress," the report stated.
Fowler said her stress level has increased since coming to the University, and the need to do well is a major reason she experiences test anxiety.
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