Test-taking anxiety is something many children experience, even if they understand and have been engaging well with the material. For these students, the pressure of taking a test can feel overwhelming, which in turn affects their confidence and their performance. Luckily, there’s good news. With patience, understanding and the right support, test-taking anxiety can be managed and eventually reduced over time. Here’s what you can do to help your child overcome test-taking anxiety:
Understand Why Your Child is Experiencing Test-Taking Anxiety
The first step in helping your child overcome any challenge is to understand what’s causing it. Test-taking anxiety can stem from a number of factors, including:
- Fear of failure
- High expectations or perfectionism
- Time pressure
- Negative testing experiences in the past
- Not understanding the material or a lack of preparation
- Learning disabilities or ADHD
Some children may also experience test-taking anxiety as a result of comparing themselves to their peers. Observe your child’s behavior and keep an open dialogue to help uncover what’s behind their anxiety surrounding tests. Ask questions about how taking tests makes them feel. Listen without judgment, and avoid rushing to offer solutions. Children are more open when they feel fully heard and supported.
Keep a Consistent Routine
Once you understand the root of your child’s test-taking anxiety, you can begin helping them manage it. One of the first things you need to focus on is keeping a consistent routine. This is especially important during testing periods. Consistent bedtimes and meal times, including ensuring they always get a balanced breakfast, boost how children feel physically. When the body is rested and well nourished, the brain is better able to remain alert and manage stress. A predictable routine also reduces last-minute scrambling, helping your child feel less pressure and less overwhelmed.
Focus on Their Effort
Many children feel anxious because they believe that their test results define their abilities or their academic worth. Remind your child that effort and growth matter more than a single test grade. Instead of looking at tests as indicators of mastery, reframe them as opportunities to demonstrate what they understand and what they could use more time studying. Celebrating their progress boosts their confidence and shifts the focus away from pressure or fear of failure. In terms of study time, break sessions into small chunks, focusing on one topic at a time instead of trying to master it all in one sitting.
Teach Simple Coping Strategies
Even with all of the right preparations and study time, children may still experience anxiety come test time. It’s important in these moments for them to be able to spot the signs of anxiety and have coping mechanisms to help them manage it. First, talk about how their anxiety may show up. They may feel nervous, their breathing may change, they may start fidgeting, or they may have difficulty concentrating. Once they’re able to identify the signs, they can take steps to calm themselves down.
Teach them coping strategies, like breathing exercises and positive self-talk, that will help them alleviate anxiety in the moment. You can also help them come up with a strategy that eases some of the pressure, like tackling the easiest questions first or skipping a difficult question and coming back to it later. Remind them not to watch the clock, as this can make them feel even more overwhelmed and distracted.
Encourage Prayer and Connecting with God
Faith is a powerful source of comfort when children feel stressed or overwhelmed. Encourage your child to pray before studying or taking a test and to place their worries before God. Remind them that they’re never alone; God is always with them, providing His peace, comfort and support in every moment. It’s also worth reading the Bible with your child in the days leading up to the test, focusing on stories where God showed up when people were worried, anxious or afraid. Help them reflect on how God was there with them every step of the way and how He helped them through each challenging moment.
Maintain Open Communication
The most important thing to do when helping your child manage test-taking anxiety is to keep the lines of communication open and honest. Ongoing dialogue and encouragement help children know that they’re supported. Let your child know that feeling nervous is normal and that it doesn’t mean that they’re unprepared or incapable. Allow them to talk openly about their fears, asking open-ended questions and validating their feelings. Focus on providing positive reinforcement regarding their effort and progress, as this helps boost their confidence.
At St. Charles Borromeo, we believe in strong partnerships between faculty and families, providing a supportive, nurturing learning environment where every student can thrive, no matter the challenges or anxieties they face. Located in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, our Orlando private school is committed to proclaiming the gospel Message of Jesus Christ. We believe in teaching the whole child and want students to love learning, helping them grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society. Learn more about us by contacting us here.