test anxiety presentation final...

12
Test Anxiety Michele Vincent, LCSW-R, BCD School Social Worker

Upload: others

Post on 29-Jul-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

Test Anxiety

Michele Vincent, LCSW-R, BCD School Social Worker

Page 2: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

What is Anxiety? •  a feeling of worry, nervousness, or

unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

• Different than fear- fear is in response to

something realistically intimidating or dangerous and is an appropriate response to a perceived threat; anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, and uneasiness, usually generalized and unfocused as an overreaction to a situation that is only subjectively seen as menacing

Page 3: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

Assessments

•  The number of assessments students are taking has increased.

•  Important part of educational process •  Increased emphasis on results (child’s future,

teacher’s accountability, school performance) • Can feel pressure from others to do well • Most people are a little nervous before tests •  Lots of talk being facilitated about testing in the

media, community, etc.

Page 4: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

What is Test Anxiety? •  Test anxiety is an actual type of “performance

anxiety”. Performance anxiety is when a person feels worried about how they will perform (or do something), especially when it’s really important. (Kids Health.org)

• No matter how hard a student has prepared they suddenly cannot recall the information

Page 5: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

Symptoms •  Increased heart rate •  Cold and/0r sweaty palms •  Rapid breathing •  Panic attacks •  Nausea •  Headaches •  Tense Muscles •  Excessive perspiration •  Shaking •  Dizziness/ Lightheadedness •  Flushed skin color

Page 6: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

Physical symptoms of anxiety lead to…

•  Inability to concentrate •  Inability to understand what you are reading on

the exam •  Inability to organize your thoughts •  Inability to remember what you studied •  Inability to recall problem solving strategies •  Tardiness or absences on test days • Crying • Hyperactivity/ Jitteriness

Page 7: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

Triggers of Test Anxiety •  Internal: •  Comparing yourself to

others •  Lack of preparation/

poor test prep strategies •  Low-self esteem/

confidence •  Lack of motivation •  Perfectionist tendencies/

unrealistic expectations •  Worrying about future

(college, career, etc.) •  Attention problems

External: • Competitive

Environment • Family Pressures • Poorly designed tests • Past experience of

failure / bad experience

Page 8: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

How to Spot Test Anxiety: •  Elementary students are more likely to show

physical signs ▫  Poor concentration/ attention ▫  Inappropriate comments, fidgeting, squirming,

staring, crying, etc. ▫  Asking unnecessary questions ▫  Complaining about test items ▫  Seeking unnecessary assistance from others or

cheating ▫  Feigning illness ▫  Repeated visits to the nurse ▫  Psychosomatic complaints the morning of a test

Page 9: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

Dealing With Test Anxiety •  Suggestions for Students ▫  Have a positive attitude- Encourage

students to think positively and use positive self talk to get them through the test. ▫  Ask for help-Encourage children to ask for

help by talking to a trusted family member, teacher, or counselor. ▫  Be prepared- Encourage students to pay

attention in class, review their homework and study in advance for the test “No Cramming”

Page 10: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

What Parents Can Do…

• Write test dates on calendar • Help students gather study materials and set a

study schedule • Discuss the test openly and in a positive way • Have realistic expectations while encouraging

best efforts • Emphasize that the test is only one measure of

who they are as a student • Emphasize that test scores do not determine a

person’s worth

Page 11: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

Anxiety Reduction Techniques

•  Getting enough sleep •  Eating well •  Arrive on time (not early) •  Exercise •  Breathing Techniques •  Meditation- picture your “happy place”, slowly count

to ten •  Stretching at desk •  Taking a break if allowed •  Tensing and relaxing muscles-

“push, pull, dangle” •  Squeeze ball

Page 12: Test Anxiety presentation final michelep1cdn4static.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_736171/File... · the exam • Inability to organize your thoughts • Inability to remember

Resources • Kidshealth.org has “articles” for students on test

anxiety, effective studying, relaxation techniques, etc.

• Books: ▫  True or False? Tests Stink! ▫  Tyler Tames the Testing Tiger