Test Anxiety - What Causes It and How to Overcome It

It was just another day for Sandy when she pickedwas a limiting internal strategy in action.
her daughter up at school. Immediately she knewWhen Sandy "thought" she was falling behind the other
something wasn't right, so she asked her 9 yr old,kids in a test it triggered the limiting internal strategy.
"Beth, what's wrong?" Beth looked up and said, "WeThat thought led to toxic internal dialog, "I'm so stupid!!",
had a test today and I freaked out!" Sandy didn't havewhich in turn led to her feeling pretty bad about herself.
to ask how well she did. She knew it was badUnfortunately, she looped it back to more toxic dialog.
because this wasn't the first time.This loop continued until she "freaked out".
That's when it hit Sandy. The Maryland SchoolSymptoms of a limiting internal strategy:
Assessment (MSA) test was next week and her* Freezing up during test
daughter had to do well. I mean her whole academic* "Losing" all the answers during a test
life depended on it. No pressure here.* Getting stuck on a question but unable to let go and
A common misconception is that this is a case of notmove on to the next question
knowing how to study for tests. So the solution that* Paralyzing Anxiety
most parents and schools implement is a course onIf we want our kids to do better in school we have to
how to be a better tester. But something deeperlook for ways to identify and transform limiting internal
actually is going on. Every human being has an internalstrategy. This will allow kids to test better so they can
set of process that run the show. They are referredreduce their stress level and get further ahead.
to as internal strategy. What Sandy was experiencing