Test anxiety tips can help ease children’s nerves

A little anxiety prior to an event like a presentation or test is common — and normal. For some, nervousness can actually be helpful, but for others, the struggle with what we call “test anxiety” is significant and can manifest with physical symptoms. COVID-19 concerns and how the pandemic is affecting schooling make things more complex.

Test anxiety can affect anyone from primary and secondary school students to college students. While symptoms are varied and can include trouble concentrating and sleeping the night before a test, some individuals report trouble breathing during a test, stomachache, headache or an elevated heart rate.

Here are some tips to try to ease nerves before big exam days.