Test-Taking Anxiety?

[Southron Boy]

I still get nervous, but I think people need to learn their studying style. Between work and family commitments, it is difficult for me to stretch out one exam for two or three weeks and focus on it. Also, my personality is to get distracted on prolonged study, and find other things on my looooong laundry list to do. I have tried this, and it may be a month before I finally get to the exam. If I take a few days (normally less than a week) and put some good study time in, I have found it suits my style. Granted, some people work better under pressure, and I have always been that way. A retired Marine Corps LtCol friend of mine (who was a type A) used to laugh and get a kick out of it.

I don't think anxiety is a "bad thing", you just don't want to fall to pieces. Stress can be a motivator, but you have to know that balance. I think the testing center people laugh at me because I repeatedly come in tripping over chairs and chattering my teeth , and then leave with a fairly decent score.

It sounds like bluey has it together, and I know I break most of the previous comments besides knowing that the exam is offered, arriving on time, filling out paper work correctly, etc., but it works for me.

I know some study guides say to watch a movie or read a leisure book the night before. I try NOT to watch a movie, or do anything frivolous the night before (usually study and review this board) so that my brain is in test mode while I sleep and in the morning (usually for a 10:30 exam). Each time, I get some eggs and toast, chocolate milk, and a few swigs of Dr. Pepper (just the right amount for an added sugar boost. Read somewhere where testers drank just the right amount of tea to up their caffine just so). If I have a few extra minutes at the testing center, I study, study, study reviewing flashcards, notes, etc. Lunch break: study, study ... you get the idea. Some might call it cramming ... I call it making the most of my time. It seems like there is always precious little time in this world.