I have anxiety about test taking. I call it testpocalypse.
Two weeks ago, I had the hardest test week I’ve ever had. I took seven important tests in ten days. I took four GED subject tests, two CLEP tests, and a math placement test. I was nervous and agitated.
A little background may help.
Ever since I was 10, I’ve disliked tests. I went to a Montessori school from kindergarten to 5th grade, where they don’t test. The only tests I took were state placement exams in 2nd and 5th grade. When I was 11, I chose to homeschool and didn’t test.
I only started to really take tests in ‘high school’. I took the ACT’s, SAT’s, and AP subject tests. I studied hard and took a practice exam every Saturday.
The result: My anxiety started on Monday and built up every day. If I heard the word “test”, I’d feel like ants were crawling all over my body. My body temperature increased. I would start itching. I would freeze and overthink about the test. When Friday came, I argued with my dad. I yelled, screamed, and cried. I would escape to my room for two days. We wouldn’t talk for the entire weekend.
When I was 16, my dad wanted me to take classes at the local community college. He took me to student orientation for engineers in the hopes of me getting inspired and taking the initiative with my college prep. I was agitated and didn’t know what to do for the whole meeting.
Negative thoughts went through my head the whole time. What if I fail a class? What if I don’t understand the material? I haven’t been to real school in a few years.
By the time I was 18, I didn’t have a high school diploma. My parents said I needed to get my GED by the end of the school year. I thought: No problem. I have plenty of time to study. I’ll study later. I ended up cramming two weeks before the tests.
Then, this summer, I studied for two CLEP tests. CLEP is a program where a student takes a test and earns college credit. My dad worked with me every morning, but when I was struggling, I didn’t ask him for help. I procrastinated. I panicked right before I took the tests.
I thought I was done with all the tests until I found out the community college didn’t accept the GED Math test for placement. I had to take the community college’s placement test. I wasn’t happy. That Saturday, I took the test and passed. I was able to sign up for the Calculus class.
I’m self-managing my test anxiety every day. Do you have test taking anxiety? Tell us your story.