Test? More Like Give Me A Rest

Test Anxiety Is Getting The Better Of Students

By: Katrina Caraway

Testing is one of the most hated things to do from a student's perspective, as many students suffer from test anxiety, a physiological condition in which people experience extreme distress and anxiety in testing situations, and it’s become a real problem as estimated “38% of students in America have some form of test anxiety” according to the American Test Anxiety Association. 

At Doniphan-Trumbull most high school and middle school students have to take at least one test a week, causing many of the students to be stressed, have headaches, sweat, shake, and experience a rapid heartbeat, according to Sheryl Ankrom, a clinical professional counselor. Of students polled 70% admit to struggling with test anxiety. 

Although so many students admit to feeling anxious about tests, just 57% of the DT students think that required standardized testing like NWEA is important. On the other hand 75% percent of students believe that the ACT is very important. These high stakes tests are infrequent, but most students test weekly in their classes, and these tests can cause just as much anxiety. To make matters worse, 63% of students polled don’t see the value in these tests. 

“Having so many tests all the time causes so many people to have anxiety, and I just think if it’s not needed why make us do it?” said freshman Kaleah Olson.

Having test anxiety can eventually cause  sleep struggles, headaches, muscle tension and anxiety attacks. 

“It was the night before the winter final for math. I remember freaking out because I didn’t have my review done, and I didn’t understand it. I was talking to my mom about it, and she was telling me how there was no need to worry. Although she was telling me these things, I was still crying and shaking,” says Sophomore Sophia Mason.

Although test anxiety is really hard to control, there are some solutions that students can try to help soothe the symptoms. One of the biggest solutions used by DT students is sleeping. Many other students like to eat or use relaxation techniques to calm themselves.

“For test anxiety I study for as long as I need, and if I become more stressed I like to listen to music to calm down,” says Sophomore Alyssa Breckner.