Written By: Marissa Sweger
Did you feel stressed, anxious, or hopeless the last time you took an exam before, during, or after it? If you answered yes, then you might have test anxiety. Test anxiety is a severe version of these feelings when taking an exam. It is very common among college students ages 18-30. As college students, we take multiple classes while having other obligations that take up our time. These things can stop you from properly studying or adding extra stress. There is also the fear of asking for help. You may need help with your courses and additional support but are too anxious to ask. I’ve been there. You or someone you know will probably face anxiety over taking an exam in your collegiate career.
I’ve always had severe test anxiety. From elementary school to now, as a junior in college, I find myself afraid of taking exams. When I take an exam, I feel like I jumped into ice water. I feel frozen. My mind goes blank, my heart races, and my palms sweat. I get nervous just at the thought of taking a test. These are the feelings I went through when I had to take an in-person exam, but during the pandemic, I noticed that my test anxiety decreased when taking exams online. During the pandemic, we had to switch to a new kind of learning, which brought a new way of taking exams. So, how do communication and taking online exams help reduce test anxiety?
The study “Saudi Undergraduate Students’ Preferences toward Tests and Test Anxiety Differences in Blended Learning” by Alghmdi (2022) from the International Journal of Linguistics, Literature & Translation examines the difference in test anxiety during face-to-face and online exams. In the study, 138 female undergraduate students filled out questionnaires about their level of anxiety with paper and online tests. Test anxiety can negatively impact student performance, which can be a serious problem for learners and eventually lead to low academic achievement. This study found that the students preferred better control, fast and easy use, friendly interfaces, and instantaneous feedback that online testing provides.
Research has also shown that there is a direct impact on supportive communication networks and test anxiety and performance. In the study “The impact of supportive communication networks on test anxiety and performance,” by Goldsmith and Albrecht (1993) found that outside supportive communication can positively or negatively impact test anxiety. People with high stress aren’t likely to ask those in their class for help due to feeling inferior. They are more likely to seek out knowledge from their friends and family, who make up the majority of their social circle. Students perceive supportive communication from outside the classroom to be helpful, and it is positively related to exam grades for students with high anxiety. It was found, however, that outside relationships can’t provide any help for exam-based support, whereas a student might benefit from a classmate’s knowledge.
The way I studied changed during the pandemic; I used new resources available to me, such as drop-in Zoom office hours and class discussion posts, to gain a deeper understanding of the course material. Before that, I was too afraid to ask for help for fear of people thinking I was dumb. These things helped me feel more at ease when it was time to take those online exams.
I had taken some virtual courses at community college. Those virtual classes also prepared me for the transition during the pandemic and helped me understand what study methods worked for me. Another thing that helped was taking my exams in a room by myself. Knowing that everyone around me is finishing their exam makes me think I should finish mine faster so I’m not the last one done. Research has taught me some good coping skills to help with my test anxiety.
As you go through college, whether that be as an undergraduate or graduate, you’ll probably be faced with test anxiety at some point. There are many resources available to help cope with test anxiety. Whether that be learning efficient study habits, getting help from a tutor or professor, or even getting more sleep. There is no shame in asking for help from peers and tutors. You won’t look like an idiot, and more times than not, your peers are happy to help because they are going through the same thing. You could try focusing on positive thoughts and affirmations before you take your exam. I eat sour candy before an exam because my therapist told me that eating something sour is a good distraction technique for anxiety. Refrain from exhausting yourself with studying. Take a break occasionally, and do something fun like phone a friend or watch an episode of your favorite show. You might never completely eliminate your test anxiety, but you can manage it.
