<p>I ALWAYS study for tests, so the problem I have is not that I dont know the material, but that I have uncontrollable brain farting. My mind goes blank sometimes after hours of studying and all I can think of is "Time, time, time". My knees are shaky and I cant get my heart to calm down. </p>
<p>I dont know why tests aggravate me so much. I really want to do well in school.</p>
<p>Do you guys have any tips or tricks for test taking? Is there anything that you guys think or say to yourself to make yourself calm and ready?</p>
<p>Thank you guys so much...my trimester grade isnt looking so well (I have a B- in Pre Cal Honors because of my stupid mistakes on tests). I really want to raise up my GPA so I get a 3.83 or 4.0 by the end of the semester.</p>
<p>Well, I pray and that makes me less nervous (because I get SUPER freaked out about tests as well). But, if you don’t want to do that or whatever, I also talk to friends before the test. I stopped frantically studying the minutes before a test because that just made me more nervous. Talking to friends about something funny helped me ;D</p>
<p>I notice this happens to me when I know the material but don’t really understand it. Do you really understand each and every step of what’s going on? If you do repeat it back to yourself several times while studying. As for taking the tests I think you just need to relax like you just don’t care. Try to trick yourself into not caring. You need to find that fine range of slightly nervous but cool. When you’re takin the test make sure you’re giving off the vibe that you don’t care. I think that should take some nervousness off your shoulder</p>
<p>For Math, my trick is I think to myself that I’m going to do well if I just take each problem step by step. Basically I use cautious arrogance to get my mind on the test.</p>
<p>Edit:</p>
<p>What bleach said is kind of like what I said so I agree with him</p>
<p>I’ve always found it helpful to develop a “whatever” attitude right before the test. Instead of worry about what will happen if you fail, think about what’s for lunch or some movie. You aren’t going to gain much trying to memorize crap in the minutes before a test, and you aren’t going to suddenly forget crap you really studied for, as long as you aren’t overly stressed.</p>
<p>Try to understand the material you’re learning, instead of just memorizing it. It’s a lot easier to remember a fluid idea rather than choppy bits of information.</p>
<p>I have never had an issue with exams at all, even when it’s really important eg my whole GCSE- 2 years worth of work in one exam. I honestly think this is just because of how much practice I’ve had. Since 3rd grade I was prepping to pass the 11+ entrance exam, taken in 5th grade. Also in 5th grade I took what we call SATs here, which are about 6 external exams. Doing all of that at a young age just stopped me getting freaked out by exams.
In terms of what you can do, just try to relax. Don’t do last minute prep, before the exam just try to clear your mind of your revision, even if this seems very counterproductive. If you find you’re mind is going blank in the exam, just take a quick break, have some water or something, and let your brain settle down a bit. This just needs to be 30 seconds or so, but it’ll relax you and get you ready to start again a little refreshed.
Also you could try testing yourself at home. Work out a set time to do some maths problems in or something. Just getting used to being in exam conditions working solid may help you in the real things.</p>