Passing your exams by controlling your anxiety

With the approach of the end of semester exams, the fear of failure increases among students. Fear of not having enough time to answer the questions, of having a memory lapse and of getting a bad grade are the anxieties of the day. This does not make the task any easier, because too much anxiety can prevent you from understanding or transcribing your knowledge. The vicious circle begun.

In 2014, professors Kurt, Balci and Kose published the article "Test anxiety levels and related factors: students preparing for university exams" in order to study the stress factors in approaching the exams, thanks to a questionnaire distributed to 376 students in Istanbul (Turkey).

Each person is different, and each individual experiences stress differently, but the stress factor remains the same. While attending private preparatory courses, choosing a profession and studying during the vacations did not influence test anxiety, the study shows that female students felt more stress than male students. Students who had to take a competitive exam to get into school also had less anxiety, which is partly explained by the fact that passing a competitive exam can increase confidence. In addition, the study shows a positive correlation between anxiety levels and depression, but even more surprisingly, with the number of siblings. Finally, students who resit their exams after a failure are more anxious than those who take it for the first time. No pressure, but it is better to pass the first time...

Finally, the study highlighted elements that tend to reduce exam anxiety. A comfortable study atmosphere and social activities help relieve stress. Reading wikihow's tips for passing final exams can also help.