Test Anxiety

My kids have their TAKS Tests next week. I thought I would say a few words about test anxiety. Truthfully, neither of my children suffer from test anxiety just the natural nervousness such a big event can induce.

As a rule, when most people are to take a test (especially a major test) they experience nervousness or anxiety. However some people actually have what is more severe anxiety.

This fear can be very debilitating. I have not had severe test anxiety but I have seen first hand people who have. I have seen people get physically ill when about to take a test from nervousness and shaking to vomiting and anxiety attacks.

Test Anxiety occurs because of the sudden influx of adrenalin. The “fight or flight” reflex kicks in.

My niece had severe Test Anxiety when she was in school. I know that she would study for tests because I would help her and go over questions, she would know the answer to the questions, however, when it came time to take the test she would totally blank and could not remember any answers. Of course this caused distress and she would literally panic.

Unfortunately, she never overcame this problem. I would tell her just breathe and then just relax instead of trying too hard. She was unable to graduate because her anxiety was so awful when she had to take the TAKS she didn’t pass, which you have to in order to graduate. She even took courses to help her. She eventually had to go for her GED. Which after 12 years of school was a big disappointment for her. I am one of the people who do not like that you have to pass the TAKS test in order to graduate Especially since so many of the people who did not pass the test were unable to get their diploma.

I think the fact that such a big deal is made of how important the TAKS test is a reason why test anxiety has been on an incline. When such a test is so important the feeling of Test Anxiety can certainly be overwhelming. I can understand making tests an important part of your grade, however they should not keep you from graduating when you have kept up your grades in your classes