Exam Anxiety

Preparing for and writing exams are among the most important and stressful aspects of university life. A certain amount of anxiety before writing a test is normal. It can actually improve your academic performance by helping you to concentrate on the task at hand and stay motivated and alert.

Some students experience more severe anxiety that can be counterproductive. Research has demonstrated that highly anxious students tend to receive lower scores on exams than do less anxious students, even when ability and preparation are the same. Students who experience intense anxiety may become overwhelmed by their feelings of tension and worry. They become less able to concentrate and are easily distracted from the exam process. These students sometimes report "freezing" or "feeling blocked" when preparing for or writing an exam.

If the anxiety you experience interferes with your academic performance it is a problem that should be addressed.