Oh boy, fun stuff. TEST ANXIETY.

Your level of anxiety will often depend upon your personality (need to win) and/or the consequences of the test. For example, if you need to pass a test in order to pass a class, your anxiety level will probably be pretty high.

On the other hand, if it is just a quiz that will have little over-all bearing on your grade; your level of anxiety may be lower.

I have taken many, many, many tests over the years, and have actually failed tests, because I was too confident. That is, I felt as if I knew the subject matter so well that I did not prepare. This approach did not work for me at all.

To reduce anxiety, I try to get a preview of what the test will consist of. Pay attention to those very boring explanations that are usually administered at the beggining of any formal testing. They give clues on how to answer the questions.

Prepare, prepare, prepare. That means studying as far in advance as possible. You can make up a test of your own with answer sheet. Make multiple copies and take your own test at least once a day before the exam.

Try flashcards, and keep them with you. In your down time, in between classes, job...whatever you can review one or two of them at a time.

Study groups can be very helpful, as long as there focused. Discussing why an answer is the correct answere, will help you to remember it.

Anxiety is not always bad. Test anxiety can be a lot like stage fright. I've been told that actors and actresses that don't have stage fright do not perform as well.