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Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is a type of stress or nervousness that many students feel before or during exams. “It’s more than just butterflies in your stomach—it can affect how you think, feel, and even perform. Test anxiety is one of the most common academic issues for teens.

Common Symptoms

  • Mental symptoms:
     

    • Overthinking

    • Trouble concentrating

    • Negative self-talk (“I’m going to fail”)

    • Going blank during tests
       

  • Physical symptoms:
     

    • Sweating

    • Racing heartbeat

    • Nausea or stomachaches

    • Shaky hands

Why It Happens?

  • Your brain sees tests as a "threat" even if they're not dangerous.

  • It triggers a fight-or-flight response—your body gets ready to "escape" or "fight."

  • Adrenaline is released—this makes your heart race and your body tense up.

  • Cortisol, the stress hormone, kicks in—this can mess with memory and focus.

  • You might feel shaky, sweaty, or blank out—that’s your body reacting to stress.

  • It's totally natural, but it can be managed with the right tools.

Misconceptions 

  • “Only weak students get test anxiety” → False

  • “If I study enough, I won’t feel anxious” → Not always true

  • “It’s not a big deal” → Actually, it can affect health and performance

Why It’s Important to Address Early

  • Untreated test anxiety can impact grades, self-confidence, and mental health

  • Builds lifelong skills: stress management, focus, emotional awareness

  • When students learn to manage it early, it helps them in college and careers too
     

The good news? Test anxiety is manageable—with the right tools.​

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