HELPING YOUR CHILD

WITH TEST ANXIETY

Eastern Elementary
 What is Test Anxiety
Anxiety can be described as a perceived
notion of psychological distress which occurs
due to the expectation of a disconcerting and
potentially threatening event.
Students who suffer from test anxiety tend to
be consumed with feelings of anxiousness,
worthlessness, and/or absolute dread in regard
to their academic achievement.
They can have physical symptoms of headache,
nausea, sweating, shaking, increased
respiration and heart rate, faintness, and
crying.
Characteristics of Test Anxiety
3 Major Components:
Cognitive, affective and behavioral
Cognitive - worriers lacking self-confidence; preoccupied with
negative thoughts; doubting their academic ability and
intellectual competence; more likely to overemphasize the
potential negative results and feel helpless when in testing
situations ex. I know I am going to make a poor grade.
Affective - emotions such as worry, fear of failure, and panic
may be present. When students are not able to control their
emotions, they may experience higher levels of stress, thereby
making it more difficult for them to concentrate. They can be
irritable and cry often.
Physiological - Test-anxious students express anxiety
behaviorally by procrastinating and having inefficient study and
test-taking skills. some students may physically feel tired or
exhausted during test administration because they do not have
a healthy diet, have poor sleeping habits, and fail to routinely
exercise.
What Can I Say to
My Child?

This video has been shown to

3rd grade students to help
them put the test in
perspective.
Practice deep breathing (Breathe with
5s)

1. Breathe in for 5
seconds
2. Hold that same
breathe for 5 seconds
3. Breathe out for 5
seconds
*You can extend the
time if needed.
 What Can You Do as
Parents?
Make sure your child attend school
regularly
NO FEVER = SCHOOL

Its common for children to complain of having

an upset stomach when they are nervous.
Acknowledge your childs discomfort.
Take your childs temperature and if its within
normal limits bring them to school.
Let your child know its normal to feel physical
discomfort when youre nervous.
Create and maintain a home environment
that will help your children be well rested
during regular school days and during the
week of testing.

Quiet
Peaceful
No stress
Meals provided
at home
Refrain from
hosting parties
or events
Evaluate your childrens academic
progress over a period of time rather
than on one single test score.
Encourage your children to
maintain a healthy diet and
exercise on a regular basis.
 Encourage your child to wear
comfortable clothing on testing days.
Do not compare siblings test
scores
The Bottom-Line:
Elementary students should not
worry about these tests. They have
great teachers who want to see
them succeed.
They will not be punished.
They just need to do the best they
can!
They will have several chances to
take the test.