What is Exam Anxiety?

Exam anxiety; It is defined as intense anxiety that prevents the information learned before being used effectively during the exam and causes a decrease in success. In addition, intense thinking about getting bad grades in exams causes serious anxiety to develop before the exam. Test anxiety prevents studying and makes it difficult to learn and remember what needs to be learned for the test or exam. It can be difficult for people to show what they know during the exam. Test anxiety can motivate you to prepare for the exam. However, when it becomes excessively concentrated, it causes some negative symptoms and consequences. Symptoms of test anxiety: Physical Headache, Nausea or diarrhea, Frequent urination, Sweating in the hands, Change in body temperature, Dry mouth, Shortness of breath, Dizziness or fainting, Fast heartbeat. Emotional: Frustration, Extreme fear, Anger, Uncontrollable crying or Behavioral: Constant mobility, Restlessness, Escape (stopping studying, leaving the exam unfinished) Avoidance (postponing studying, not taking the exam) Cognitive: Feeling of falling into emptiness, Difficulty concentrating, Difficulty organizing thoughts, Negative self-talk .

What are the Causes of Exam Anxiety?

There can be many reasons for test anxiety. The main ones are listed as not being able to use time effectively, not being ready, not meeting physiological needs, and having thoughts that include catastrophic interpretations.

What are the Treatment Methods for Exam Anxiety?

People whose quality of life is negatively affected and their performance decreases due to exam anxiety should consider treatment options. Various therapy methods, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, are used for exam anxiety. Giving students the tools and emotional strategies necessary to prepare for and succeed in an important exam and encouraging them to develop healthy physical habits can help them overcome symptoms related to test anxiety. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to exercise and sleep patterns.