How to Deal with Exam Stress

How to Deal with Exam Stress


There are a lot of articles about how to deal with exam stress by specialists. As we all know, things are easier said than done. In reality, students are the real experts in controlling exam stress, but only through experience can one learn how to deal with stress.

Let’s look at what we can do to reduce the stress (you should never be stress-free before exams since it will help you to be more careful and serious during the exam).

First of all, there are a lot of exam variations. You need to get as much information about the exam as possible. For example; how many questions are there, question types, exam date, exam time length, exam location? It will help to increase your confidence and familiarity and reduce anxiety.

You need to know that stress will motivate you and help you to concentrate in the exam, so if you feel nervous, it is OK. Don’t ever think that it will be worse on the exam day!

Secondly, don’t expect miracles. You will achieve a grade based on how much you have studied. If you want to reduce your stress, you need to study the right way. When you start to give the answers automatically or in a short time, you will be more confident. More confidence will bring about less stress and that will translate into success.

You should believe you will be successful. Every day you should say it to yourself. Yes it sounds a bit funny but you don’t how amazing your brain is. If you say it to yourself enough, your subconscious mind will do its best to achieve success. Be a bit arrogant, it is not the time to be modest. For example; “I will be successful, nobody can stop me!” J

Dream. Yes, you should dream. If you want to be a doctor, dream about the day you will be able to go to medicine school. Visualise the day your family, your friends, and everybody else is congratulating you. If you have a specific university that you want to go to, you can visit it. It will motivate you more than you know.

I know it is hard to spare some time for physical activities but TRY! It will make your body more relaxed and affect your exam success in a positive way. I am not kidding, it is a scientific fact! Run, swim, play basketball, do push ups etc...

Plan your studies. Don’t push yourself too much because you won’t follow through. Be realistic! Your study program should be attainable. You cannot expect to start running before you start crawling.

Timing is very important. You need to adjust your timing for the exam. The only way is to do trial exercises within a specified time frame. For example 10 questions in 20 minutes and you can decrease the time with more practice. This time will decrease as you study and practice more. When you start to solve the questions more easily, you will need less time.

You need to use test strategies. You can ask for help from your teachers or tutors. 

Decrease consumption of junk food. Nutrition is important since a strong mind is the key to success! For the exam day, don’t eat anything unfamiliar to you as it might increase the probability of you getting ill.

Sleep well before the exam. It can be hard because of the stress but do your best, try to make your mind and body relax.

These are the tips that I can provide you from my experience but please don’t forget that exams are not the end of the world. There is always a way to rectify it, you just need the right tools.

Good Luck!

Brisbane Math Tutor