THE MISSING PIECE - Celebrations of Learning Michael Frizell, Director, The Writing Center [email protected] Michael Frizell, Director,

THE MISSING PIECE -Celebrations of LearningTHE MISSING PIECE -Celebrations of Learning

Michael Frizell, Director, The Writing [email protected] Frizell, Director, The Writing [email protected]

Test Anxiety QuestionnaireTest Anxiety

Questionnaire ____ I have visible signs of nervousness such as sweaty palms, shaky hands, and so on right before a test. ____ I have “butterflies” in my stomach before a test. ____ I feel nauseated before a test. ____ I read through the test and feel that I do not know any of the answers. ____ I panic before and during a test. ____ My mind goes blank during a test. ____ I remember the information that I blanked on once I get out of the testing situation. ____ I have trouble sleeping the night before a test. ____ I make mistakes on easy questions or put answers in the wrong places. ____ I have difficulty choosing answers.

____ I have visible signs of nervousness such as sweaty palms, shaky hands, and so on right before a test. ____ I have “butterflies” in my stomach before a test. ____ I feel nauseated before a test. ____ I read through the test and feel that I do not know any of the answers. ____ I panic before and during a test. ____ My mind goes blank during a test. ____ I remember the information that I blanked on once I get out of the testing situation. ____ I have trouble sleeping the night before a test. ____ I make mistakes on easy questions or put answers in the wrong places. ____ I have difficulty choosing answers.

Interpreting the ResultsInterpreting the Results

Now add up your score on all the statements.Scores will range from 10 to 50.

A low score (10-19 points) indicates that you do not suffer from text anxiety.

Scores between 20 and 30 indicate that, although you exhibit some of the characteristics of test anxiety, the level of stress and tension is probably healthy.

Scores over 30 suggest that you are experiencing an unhealthy level of test anxiety. You should evaluate the reason(s) for the distress and identify strategies for compensating.

Source: www.unc.edu/depts/ucc.html August 2001

Now add up your score on all the statements.Scores will range from 10 to 50.

A low score (10-19 points) indicates that you do not suffer from text anxiety.

Scores between 20 and 30 indicate that, although you exhibit some of the characteristics of test anxiety, the level of stress and tension is probably healthy.

Scores over 30 suggest that you are experiencing an unhealthy level of test anxiety. You should evaluate the reason(s) for the distress and identify strategies for compensating.

Source: www.unc.edu/depts/ucc.html August 2001

Symptoms of Test AnxietySymptoms of Test Anxiety

Fear of failing before arriving to take the exam.

Feeling tension as exam is being passed out. Physical symptoms such as: increased heart

rate, shortness of breath, perspiring, etc. Negative thinking such as: "I am going to

fail," "I am dumb," "I shouldn't even bother taking the exam."

"Blanking out" on information that you studied.

Recalling information, upon leaving the classroom or a short period later, that you "blanked out on" during the exam.

Frustrated with your grade on the exam because you know you were well prepared.

Fear of failing before arriving to take the exam.

Feeling tension as exam is being passed out. Physical symptoms such as: increased heart

rate, shortness of breath, perspiring, etc. Negative thinking such as: "I am going to

fail," "I am dumb," "I shouldn't even bother taking the exam."

"Blanking out" on information that you studied.

Recalling information, upon leaving the classroom or a short period later, that you "blanked out on" during the exam.

Frustrated with your grade on the exam because you know you were well prepared.

Controlling Test AnxietyControlling Test Anxiety

Some is needed. Overprepare…to a point. Become desensitized to

test environments & formats.

Develop & practice various kinds of tests & questions.

Take practice tests.

Some is needed. Overprepare…to a point. Become desensitized to

test environments & formats.

Develop & practice various kinds of tests & questions.

Take practice tests.

Controlling Test AnxietyControlling Test Anxiety

Change/stop negative thoughts.

Prepare body.Breathing &

relaxation exercises before & during exam.

Take control.Seek help.

Change/stop negative thoughts.

Prepare body.Breathing &

relaxation exercises before & during exam.

Take control.Seek help.

Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

Prepare for the exam ahead of time. "Cramming" is a big culprit of test anxiety.

Get plenty of rest and sleep the night before the exam.

Don't forget to eat the day of the exam, preferably something nutritious.

Avoid arriving too early or late to the exam.

Prepare for the exam ahead of time. "Cramming" is a big culprit of test anxiety.

Get plenty of rest and sleep the night before the exam.

Don't forget to eat the day of the exam, preferably something nutritious.

Avoid arriving too early or late to the exam.

Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

Avoid last minute studying; remember you are already prepared.

Avoid listening to others or discussing the exam with others while you waiting for the exam. The anxiety of others can "rub off" and suddenly you begin to doubt yourself.

Don't forget to breathe! Take deep breaths to help you relax, don't worry nobody will notice!

Avoid last minute studying; remember you are already prepared.

Avoid listening to others or discussing the exam with others while you waiting for the exam. The anxiety of others can "rub off" and suddenly you begin to doubt yourself.

Don't forget to breathe! Take deep breaths to help you relax, don't worry nobody will notice!

Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

Tips for Reducing Test Anxiety

While you are taking deep breaths, replace any negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

Don't get bogged down and worry about questions you don't know, move on. Later, the answer may come to you or you may get clues from other exam questions.

Reward yourself when you are finished with the exam.

While you are taking deep breaths, replace any negative thoughts with positive thoughts.

Don't get bogged down and worry about questions you don't know, move on. Later, the answer may come to you or you may get clues from other exam questions.

Reward yourself when you are finished with the exam.

Preparing for ExamsPreparing for Exams

When the Exam is Announced:

Find out what the exam will or won't cover. Find out what kind of exam it will be: objective,

short essay, long essay, or a combination.

When the Exam is Announced:

Find out what the exam will or won't cover. Find out what kind of exam it will be: objective,

short essay, long essay, or a combination.

Preparing for ExamsPreparing for Exams

Exam Study: Prepare summary sheets for large

amounts of lecture and textbook notes. Spend several nights before an exam

making a final review of notes. Stress the following areas in your review:

Points emphasized in class or in the text; Areas the professor has advised for study: Questions in study guides, past quizzes, and

reviews at the end of textbook chapters.

Exam Study: Prepare summary sheets for large

amounts of lecture and textbook notes. Spend several nights before an exam

making a final review of notes. Stress the following areas in your review:

Points emphasized in class or in the text; Areas the professor has advised for study: Questions in study guides, past quizzes, and

reviews at the end of textbook chapters.

Preparing for ExamsPreparing for Exams

Objective exams: Study as if it were an essay exam.

Stress specifics: Definitions of key terms and examples; Lists of items; For True/False, write some false statements. Essay Exams: Stress concepts. List probable questions. Prepare a good outline answer and practice it. Problem Exams: Memorize formulas if needed. Practice problems.

Objective exams: Study as if it were an essay exam.

Stress specifics: Definitions of key terms and examples; Lists of items; For True/False, write some false statements. Essay Exams: Stress concepts. List probable questions. Prepare a good outline answer and practice it. Problem Exams: Memorize formulas if needed. Practice problems.

5-Day Exam Prep Strategy5-Day Exam Prep Strategy

Before beginning the five-day countdown you should

Collect all materials needed to review. Schedule at least three 20-30 minute review

sessions for each of the five days preceding the exam.

Plan the content of each review session. What materials will you cover? How long to spend on each part? What method will you use to review the material?

Make a calendar with specific times, activities, subject matter to be covered and materials needed.

Before beginning the five-day countdown you should

Collect all materials needed to review. Schedule at least three 20-30 minute review

sessions for each of the five days preceding the exam.

Plan the content of each review session. What materials will you cover? How long to spend on each part? What method will you use to review the material?

Make a calendar with specific times, activities, subject matter to be covered and materials needed.

Day 5: ReadingDay 5: Reading

Set a timer or alarm clock for 20-30 minutes so you can work without interruption.

Schedule a 5-10 minute break between each study session.

Reading must be completed on this day.

Set a timer or alarm clock for 20-30 minutes so you can work without interruption.

Schedule a 5-10 minute break between each study session.

Reading must be completed on this day.

Day 4: Textbook MasteryDay 4: Textbook Mastery

Set a timer or alarm clock for 20-30 minutes.

Schedule a 5-10 minute break between each review session.

Review all textbook reading material using a textbook mastery review technique.

Review questions at the end of the chapters.

Review each instructor-made study guide.

Set a timer or alarm clock for 20-30 minutes.

Schedule a 5-10 minute break between each review session.

Review all textbook reading material using a textbook mastery review technique.

Review questions at the end of the chapters.

Review each instructor-made study guide.

Day 3: VocabularyDay 3: Vocabulary

Set a timer or alarm clock. Schedule 5-10 minute breaks. Study the vocabulary words

systematically, using either a self-made glossary or 3 x 5 cards.

Try to recall the definition by looking at the word and then try to recall the word by looking at the definition.

Do not study the words in the same order each time.

Be sure you can give the definition, recall the term from the definition, spell the word correctly, and give an example of each term.

Set a timer or alarm clock. Schedule 5-10 minute breaks. Study the vocabulary words

systematically, using either a self-made glossary or 3 x 5 cards.

Try to recall the definition by looking at the word and then try to recall the word by looking at the definition.

Do not study the words in the same order each time.

Be sure you can give the definition, recall the term from the definition, spell the word correctly, and give an example of each term.

Day 2: Lecture NotesDay 2: Lecture Notes

Set a timer or alarm. Schedule 5-10

minute breaks. Review all lecture

notes and handouts using a mastery technique.

Make outlines or use mapping techniques to organize material.

Set a timer or alarm. Schedule 5-10

minute breaks. Review all lecture

notes and handouts using a mastery technique.

Make outlines or use mapping techniques to organize material.

Day 1: Problem AreasDay 1: Problem Areas

Set a timer or alarm clock. Schedule 5-10 minute breaks. Review the following: all lecture notes all textbook notes all instructor-made handouts

and/or study guides all vocabulary words

Set a timer or alarm clock. Schedule 5-10 minute breaks. Review the following: all lecture notes all textbook notes all instructor-made handouts

and/or study guides all vocabulary words

The Night Before the TestThe Night Before the Test

Plan to complete these activities early enough that the evening before the exam is free.

At this point you should feel confident that you are prepared for the exam.

Relax!

Plan to complete these activities early enough that the evening before the exam is free.

At this point you should feel confident that you are prepared for the exam.

Relax!

Taking ControlTaking Control

As you start the exam— Listen closely to oral directions. Look over the entire test and

read carefully directions in each section. Follow directions exactly.

Look for total number of questions and make sure all pages are attached.

Ask for time allotment and budget time accordingly.

Begin with the questions you know to build confidence.

As you start the exam— Listen closely to oral directions. Look over the entire test and

read carefully directions in each section. Follow directions exactly.

Look for total number of questions and make sure all pages are attached.

Ask for time allotment and budget time accordingly.

Begin with the questions you know to build confidence.

Taking ControlTaking Control

Mark questions you’re unsure of and recheck later.

Your first guess may not always be the best. Other questions may jog memory or provide

answers. Know what the question asks for before

selecting an answer. If you note what appears to be a typo,

ask the teacher about it; it may not be. Briefly scan any text, figures, charts, or

drawings that accompany a question; then read the questions.

Answer every question. A blank answer is always wrong… a guess may be right!

Mark questions you’re unsure of and recheck later.

Your first guess may not always be the best. Other questions may jog memory or provide

answers. Know what the question asks for before

selecting an answer. If you note what appears to be a typo,

ask the teacher about it; it may not be. Briefly scan any text, figures, charts, or

drawings that accompany a question; then read the questions.

Answer every question. A blank answer is always wrong… a guess may be right!

10 Traps to Studying10 Traps to Studying

"I don't know where to begin!"

"I've got so much to study and so little time."

"This stuff is so dry, I can't even stay awake reading it."

"I read it. I understand it. but I just can't get it to sink in."

"I guess I understand it."

"I don't know where to begin!"

"I've got so much to study and so little time."

"This stuff is so dry, I can't even stay awake reading it."

"I read it. I understand it. but I just can't get it to sink in."

"I guess I understand it."

10 Traps to Studying10 Traps to Studying

"There's too much to remember."

"I knew it a minute ago.""But I like to study in bed.""Cramming before a test

helps keep it fresh in my mind."

"I'm gonna stay up all night 'til I get this!"

"There's too much to remember."

"I knew it a minute ago.""But I like to study in bed.""Cramming before a test

helps keep it fresh in my mind."

"I'm gonna stay up all night 'til I get this!"

Michael Frizell, DirectorFOR MORE INFORMATION:

[email protected]/writingcenter

THANK YOU!