Test anxiety

	REVISION IN PROGRESS: This article contains useful information, but is being revised to reflect recent updates. Direct questions to TLT (tlt@winona.edu).

Test anxiety is a state of subjective distress experienced in response to having to demonstrate your knowledge, skills, or abilities in an evaluative situation (Zeidner, 2007). It can be experienced before, during, and after the performance and can include physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional symptoms ranging from mild to severe. While it's not identified as a distinct psychological disorder, it can cooccur with diagnosable anxiety disorders. Research suggests that some level of test anxiety is common among students (Quek et al., 2019)., but it can be particularly debilitating for certain people and in certain situations, affecting test performance negatively, interfering with the ability to demonstrate proficiency, and making it difficult to recover from negative evaluations.

Why do tests make us nervous?

It can help to identify why you experience test anxiety so you can work to address its source. There are several legitimate reasons why we get nervous about tests. Some are related to the nature of a specific test, some are related to decisions made by the instructor or organization administering the test, and others are about you. In any testing situation, multiple factors can affect your level of anxiety. Usually, it's not just one thing.

Test-specific

The test requires you to perform in a way that makes you particularly anxious (e.g., public speaking).
The test covers a topic about which you are particularly anxious (e.g., math)

Instructor-specific

The instructor failed to prepare you for the test
The test is designed such that the consequences of failure are unusually severe (e.g., it's worth half your grade, it determines your admittance into an academic program)
You are only offered one way to demonstrate your proficiency
The test is unfair or biased
You are not offered a second chance if you fail
The test is administered under poor conditions (e.g., time pressure, distracting environment)
You aren't allowed any accommodation that might reduce your anxiety
Your instructor is intimidating, unapproachable, or uncaring

You

You failed to prepare for the test
You don't know how to prepare for tests
You don't want to be embarrassed
You don't want to let people down
You don't want to confirm a stereotype
You doubt yourself
Other things are going on with you

How does anxiety affect test performance?

Research suggests that students who report more test anxiety tend to perform worse on tests. However, the causal connection is still unclear. Two hypothesized mechanisms are being investigated: cognitive interference and lack of preparation. Note that both could be operating simultaneously.

Cognitive interference

Some research suggests that anxiety experienced during a test session interferes with your ability to process and retrieve existing knowledge or otherwise demonstrate proficiency. You know it, but you're just too nervous to show it, and you choke under the pressure. This cognitive interference may come in the form of task-irrelevant thoughts or negative self-talk in which you dwell on the pressure and the consequences of failure during the test, leaving fewer cognitive resources for your performance. Research on the interference hypothesis has been mixed, however. For example, some studies show that students prone to high levels of test anxiety perform poorly on non-graded quizzes and take-home exams, for which the pressure should be low.

Lack of preparation

Some research suggests (Theobald, Breitweiser, & Brod, 2022) that test anxiety affects knowledge acquisition long before the test is administered, causing test-anxious students to be less prepared for the test. Test-anxious students may have trouble preparing for tests. They may use inferior study methods and not take advantage of support resources because they think they are incapable of succeeding or don't think support will help. This might heighten their anxiety over time as the test draws near and they become more aware of their lack of preparation. While they are undoubtedly anxious during the test, it's their lack of preparation that leads to their poor performance, not their anxiety. You don't know it, and so you can't show it.

What can I do about test anxiety?

A student guide to managing test anxiety (coming soon)
An instructor guide to managing student test anxiety (coming soon)

Reach out

At WSU, many people would love to talk with you about your test anxiety and help you find ways to manage it. Your instructors, advisor, and other student service staff are just waiting for you to walk through their door. You are paying for these services, so get your money's worth. Reach out early and often.

Talk with your instructor. Most instructors spend their office hours alone, waiting for students to arrive. They would be thrilled to see you. Take advantage of the opportunity to interact 1:1 with your instructors. Make an appointment or visit with your instructor during scheduled office hours. Share your concerns about your test anxiety if you feel comfortable doing so. Ask for tips on how to prepare for upcoming tests. Seek clarification on course concepts that confuse you.
Talk with your advisor. Advisors can do more than help you register for courses once a semester. They are your guides in all things during your time here at WSU. You should consult with them regularly. They can share good study tips and direct you to other campus resources.
Contact the Warrior Success Center. The WSU Warrior Success Center is a one-stop shop for all your academic support and career planning needs. They can answer your questions about tutoring options offered by Tutoring Services. If your test anxiety is debilitating enough that you require accommodation, they can help you connect with WSU Access Services. They are all friendly, focused, and ready to help.
Contact WSU Counseling Services. Our counselors are here for you in times of crisis and as partners in your mental wellness management. If you have questions about what you are experiencing or you think your test anxiety might be part of a broader mental health issue, reach out to our counselors.

External links

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