Understanding and Managing Test Anxiety: Strategies for Students, Families, and Educators
Available with English captions and subtitles in Spanish.
Test anxiety can affect far more than a student’s performance on a single exam. It can influence confidence, motivation, self-perception, academic engagement, and overall well-being.
Benjamin J. Lovett, PhD, and Alex Jordan, PhD, explore how test anxiety develops, why it affects performance, and what students, families, educators, and professionals can do to help reduce its impact and support long-term success.
Why This Training Matters
Many students experience anxiety around testing, but not all anxiety affects students in the same way. For some, anxiety becomes a significant barrier that interferes with learning, concentration, confidence, and performance.
Understanding the difference between typical nervousness and clinically significant test anxiety can help families, educators, and professionals provide more effective support.
This session explores the causes of test anxiety, the relationship between anxiety and performance, evidence-based treatment and support approaches, accommodations, and practical strategies that help students navigate academic challenges with greater confidence.
By combining psychological insight with actionable guidance, the training helps audiences better understand how to support students experiencing test anxiety across educational settings.
Who This Training Is Designed For
This training is especially valuable for students, parents, caregivers, educators, school counselors, and professionals seeking a deeper understanding of test anxiety and its impact on learning and performance.
The session provides practical guidance that can help audiences recognize signs of anxiety, identify appropriate interventions, and support students more effectively.
What You’ll Learn
- How test anxiety affects learning, concentration, memory, and performance
- The factors that contribute to anxiety before, during, and after exams
- Practical strategies that help students prepare for and navigate testing situations
- When accommodations, treatment, or additional support may be beneficial
- How families and educators can create supportive environments that reduce anxiety and promote success
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, viewers should be able to:
- Recognize common signs and symptoms of test anxiety
- Explain how anxiety affects cognitive and academic functioning
- Identify practical strategies for managing test anxiety
- Determine when accommodations or additional support may be appropriate
- Apply evidence-based approaches that support student confidence and performance
Topics Covered During This Session
- What is test anxiety?
- What do we know about the underlying causes of test anxiety?
- How common is test anxiety, and is it becoming more prevalent?
- What is the correlation between test anxiety and performance?
- How is test anxiety assessed, and what evaluation tools are used?
- How can one tease apart test anxiety that’s within “normal” ranges vs. test anxiety that is eligible for accommodations when it comes to disability and accessibility?
- Can you speak to the intersection of test anxiety and clinical anxiety disorders?
- What does treatment for text anxiety look like?
- In terms of treatment, what kinds of settings are used (virtual, in-person, group, etc.)?
- How does one find treatment for text anxiety?
- What do you want to share with clinicians about treating test anxiety?
- Are there both pros and cons to seeking accommodations for someone struggling with test anxiety?
- Can you speak to the relationship between test anxiety and ADHD?
- How might mindfulness techniques be used for addressing test anxiety?
- When preparing for a test, is it more helpful to work with practice questions or review one’s notes?
- What are your suggestions for when people with high test anxiety find themselves unable to complete a test on time due to blanking out?
- How can kids with test anxiety prepare for standardized testing when they can’t study specific material for it?
- Do age and performance history factor into how test anxiety is best addressed?
- Has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted test-taking?
Featured Experts
3 Key Takeaways From This Training
Anxiety Is a Spectrum
Understanding where anxiety becomes impairing is essential for identifying when additional support may be needed.
Evidence-Based Strategies
Students can learn skills that reduce anxiety and improve both confidence and performance.
Early Intervention Matters
Recognizing concerns early may help reduce long-term academic and emotional consequences for children and teens.
Who Should Watch
This training may be especially valuable for:
- Education & School Professionals
- Parents & Caregivers
- Mental Health Professionals (Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Counselors, Therapists, Social Workers, Nurses)
- Health Care Professionals
- Students and Young Adults
- School Counselors
- Academic Support Professionals
- Community & Youth Program Leaders
Resources Discussed in This Session
You may find this additional information helpful.
- Quizlet – online study tools
- Testing Accommodations for Students With Disabilities: Research-Based Practice – book by Benjamin J. Lovett and Lawrence J. Lewandowski
- Addressing Parental Accommodation When Treating Anxiety in Children – book by Eli R. Lebowitz
- Treating Childhood and Adolescent Anxiety: A Guide for Caregivers – book by Eli R. Lebowitz and Haim Omer
- The ACT Workbook for Perfectionism – book by Jennifer Kemp
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: The Clinician’s Guide for Supporting Parents – book by Koa Whittingham and Lisa W. Coyne
- The Mindful Way Through Anxiety – book by Susan M. Orsillo and Lizabeth Roemer
Event Details
- Date Recorded: February 8, 2024
- Length: 60 minutes
- Presenters: Benjamin J. Lovett, PhD, and Alex Jordan, PhD
Note
The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.
Before You Go!
