1. Chew gum if you are allowed to (it will keep you awake and more focused).

2. Close your eyes and relax for a few minutes before the test. If you can, listen to music you like or talk to friends (but not about the test). Don’t try to cram in last minute studying, it usually doesn’t help.

3. Wear earplugs if you can. It will keep the noise out so you can concentrate better.

4. If you find that you are really nervous while you are taking the test, put your pencil down for a minute. Sit up straight (if you have good posture, the blood will go to your brain better). Close your eyes and take several deep breaths. This will help calm you down and make your heart beat more slowly. You should always sit up straight while taking a test. Your brain will be clearer.

5. Smile while you are doing your test. It may look really silly to other people, but when you are smiling, you will automatically be in a better mood and therefore more relaxed. (This really works for me.)

6. Take ‘practice’ tests. That is, if you’re doing worksheets at home, do them in a quiet place sitting at a desk, so it feels more like a test. If possible, ask your parents to give you some consequences if you don’t do well on the worksheet (e.g. more chores). That way you will get used to feeling the pressure.

7. Practice, practice, practice. If your teacher has extra worksheets or there are extra problems in the book, do them for more practice. Even if you get nervous or freeze up or forget things during a test, your mind will automatically remember things that you’ve done a lot of.

I suggest that you realize a bad grade is not the end of the world, relax, take a deep breath. Then treat the test like any other worksheet. You can control the outcome, you just need to relax and answer the questions as best you can. If you get stuck skip the question. One wrong won’t ruin your grade and you can always go back and answer it later if it comes to you. Just relax (I know I’m saying that alot, but it’s important) and take it one question at a time.

try flash cards

writting material several times

reading the chaper which you are in before the class lecture

outlinning a chapter and then taking lecture notes on your outline.

going to the teacher for help

study groups.

visual aids.

if you are diagnosed with a learning disability or anxiety they will give you ways to overcome it or let you take all the time you need to take the test