The most widespread negative mental state in the world is stress. People get anxious about a variety of things in life. Of all of them, online tests and exams are also included. Anxiety can be very powerful if not managed well. In this article, get insightful tips to boost confidence and do well in an online exam without having to deal with stress or anxiety.
The Psychology Behind Test Anxiety
According to key research in the field, test anxiety arises from three core factors such as overload, low confidence, and pressure from teachers, friends, and family members. Each head is briefly explained below.
- Cognitive Overload: Having more than what one can manage without breaking down often leads to an unhealthy state of mind.
- Low Self-Efficacy: A person might doubt their abilities to perform well in a test due to poor preparation levels and a language barrier, etc. This can also cause test anxiety.
- External Pressures: High parental expectations, with peer pressure side by side, put stress on students’ minds to do well and secure high marks, leading to negative physiological changes.
However, the widespread cause of test anxiety is poor preparation, exacerbated by comprehension issues. Furthermore, unexpected technical issues in the middle of the exam make the situation even worse.
Tips for Taking Online Tests and Exams
To beat anxiety, consider these tips for taking online tests and exams, and get good marks with no fear and negativity.
1. Prepare Thoroughly, but Smartly
The best strategy is to prepare in advance, not just a day before the test. Go through the syllabus, have the course books by your side, and analyze previous year question papers. Make a list of important questions and first prepare answers for them.
Afterward, ensure that you understand all the key concepts thoroughly. To commit facts to long-term memory, use the space-time repetition technique.
2. Master Your Tech Setup
To avoid technical issues, test your electronic devices in advance. If you find any issue, troubleshoot. Before the exam, log in early so that if the internet connection is slow, you will have an edge.
If the portal is slow, report the problem. Always ensure a backup plan. Keep a second laptop or computer close by for emergencies.
3. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
If your heart is beating horribly fast and your body is going out of control, take deep and long breaths and try out all the mindfulness and relaxation techniques that you might know.
Practice positive self-talk or affirmations within your mind, or visualize that you are going to get good marks.
4. Reframe Negative Thoughts
If there are any negative thoughts in your mind, replace them with a positive one. And, repeat the latter again and again. Each time you say something positive, it goes deep down, relieving anxiety.
5. Optimize Your Test-Taking Strategy
When you get the test, scan it first and see which questions are very easy, and you can do it in seconds. Do them before cracking relatively difficult ones. It will help manage time wisely, boosting your confidence level.
6. Take Care of Your Body
Take care of your overall health. Don’t just the day before the exam, but sleep enough and well each night. Deep slumber helps our brain function at its optimal level.
Eat a balanced diet to keep each cell of the body well-fed. Furthermore, stay hydrated and exercise to boost your capability to sit comfortably for a couple of hours at a stretch.
7. Build a Support System
Leverage your friend’s network to study in a group so that everyone can study and clear their doubts with each other. Sometimes, one person can teach the other in a far better way than an experienced tutor.
So, study with peers. However, if required, ensure help from subject-matter experts too.
Turning Anxiety into Opportunity
Follow all these tips, and it will help you turn anxiety into opportunity. The fight against test anxiety starts with a smart preparation strategy, along with all the wisdom bites shared above.
Even though you haven’t prepared much, or any unexpected event happens, don’t forget that this is not the end of the world. The best you can do is to make the most out of every situation, no matter what the external circumstances are.
Ans: Normal stress can be associated with any situation or can be triggered by anything. But, test anxiety is a specific type of stress that is only triggered by a test, about to be conducted soon.
Ans: This might not be true for all, but only for those who are less or not familiar with the high-tech ways of online exams.
Ans: Test anxiety only affects long-term academic performance negatively when you haven’t prepared well, and that is causing the anxiety in the first place. There is no such thing that you know everything and yet being anxious, and thus, it is going to derail the performance.
