Anxiety has a cycle that becomes self-reinforcing generating more anxiety, stress, panic and poor performance. The graph at the left illustrates this concept. A test is viewed or felt as a threat, this threat releases stress hormones, reduces concentration, focus and retention, then hard work is compromised by anxiety and fear. It may be time for you to take control of anxiety regarding taking a test. There are basics that can make a tremendous difference in your score once you master the mental/emotional components of anxiety. Some of the best methods are as follows:
1) reduction of negative thoughts and feelings
2) improved emotional control
3) muscle relaxation techniques
4) mental relaxation
5) mental rehearsal techniques
6) reframing or positive self-talk
7) diaphragmatic breathing
These are all very reliable tools or techniques that can be used in conjunction with proper study habits, test taking strategies and practice. The goals are to teach a set of easy to use tools and techniques that enable anyone to reduce stress, and test anxiety while self-generating an optimal psychological state for improved learning, academic performance and better test scores. Whether it be the SAT, LCSW, LSAT, MCAT, GMAT or Real Estate exam, these techniques work to reduce and/or control anxiety. Anxiety does not have to control you, you can control it.
