We probably all know the uneasy feeling before an exam. Especially when it is important. This is completely normal, and excitement to a healthy degree even helps even helps to boost our brain's performance during the exam period. In the case of test anxiety, however, this is not the case. Someone who suffers from test anxiety is so nervous, that during the exam, despite good preparation practically nothing of what they have learnt can be recalled and the marks are accordingly desirable.
1. How does test anxiety manifest itself
Symptoms of test anxiety can be both physical physical and psychological manifestations and can take and more severe forms. Below you will find a list of the most common symptoms:
Physical symptoms
- Bursts of sweat
- Shaky hands
- Nausea, vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- racing heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth /swallowing is difficult
Mental complaints
- Even well-prepared learning material cannot be recalled during the exam
- Internal tension and restlessness
- Unconcentration
- The fact that a good grade could also result is not taken into consideration
- Difficulty falling asleep, poor sleep, nightmares
- Feeling of helplessness and hopelessness
- Learning without breaks or no learning at all
- In severe cases: Resignation, depressive moods
2. Causes of exam anxiety
In most cases, test anxiety is not based on one cause, but a whole combination of possible triggers. These include, among others:
- Main reason: Lack of confidence in one's own abilities / lack of self-confidence
- Fear of the reactions of parents, teachers or classmates
- Fear of being overwhelmed
- Fear due to the judgement that the preparation was inadequate
If you recognise yourself in these statements, we recommend that you read our article What to do about exam anxiety .