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.
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
5 Key Takeaways From This Training
1. Test Anxiety Exists on a Spectrum: Understanding where anxiety becomes impairing is essential for identifying when additional support may be needed.
2. Performance Is Not Always a Reflection of Knowledge: Students experiencing significant anxiety may struggle to demonstrate what they know despite adequate preparation.
3. Support Systems Matter: Families, educators, and professionals all play important roles in helping students navigate academic pressure.
4. Evidence-Based Strategies Can Improve Outcomes: Students can learn skills that reduce anxiety and improve both confidence and performance.
5. Early Intervention Can Prevent Escalation: Recognizing concerns early may help reduce long-term academic and emotional consequences.
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
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!
