Anxiety

Anticipatory tension or vague dread persisting in the absence of a specific threat. In contrast to fear, which is a realistic reaction to actual danger, anxiety is generally related to an unconscious threat.

websites

books

articles

Symptoms of Anxiety

• increased pulse rate & blood pressure

• accelerated breathing

• perspiration

• diarrhea

• muscular tension

• dry mouth

 Test Anxiety

Test anxiety is actually a type of performance anxiety — a feeling someone might have in a situation where performance really counts or when the pressure's on to do well.

A tiny amount of anxiety isn't bad - it's actually helpful to be "up" when preparing for and taking a test - but if you are showing some of these symptoms, your level of stress may be too high. It may be at a level that can hurt your preparation and your performance.

signs of test anxiety in your head

• mental blank-out

• racing thoughts

• difficulty concentrating

• negative thoughts about: past performance, consequences of failure, how everyone else is doing

• knowing the answers after the test, but now while taking it

signs of test anxiety in your body

• nausea

• cramps

• faintness

• sweating

• headache

• dry mouth

• increased breathing rate

• fast heartbeat

• tense muscles