Exam anxiety is a state of anxiety that prevents the learned information from being remembered and used effectively in the exam. Exam anxiety may occur depending on the meaning that students attribute to the exam and the plans they have about the exam. It is an intense state of anxiety, worry and fear that reduces success. Although anxiety is an emotion that normally everyone can experience, it can be more difficult for children and teenagers to cope with.

Exam Anxiety

What are the Causes of Exam Anxiety? 

1. Having unrealistic ways of thinking,

2. Expectations and pressures of family and environment,

3. Perfectionist personality structure,

4. Competitive personality structure,

5. Not being prepared enough for the exam,

6. Excess exam and course load,

7. Inability of the student to cope with the course load,

8. The student could not find the right study strategy,

9. Student's previous successes and failures,

10. Seeing the exam as an end rather than a means,

11. The perception of the exam as the only criterion of success in life.


What Are the Symptoms of Exam Anxiety?

There are mental, emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms that can be seen in people with test anxiety.

Mental Symptoms: 

1. Constant self-criticism (seeing himself as unsuccessful),

2. Fear that something bad will happen in or before the exam (like if I get sick before the exam, faint in the exam),

3. Lack of self-confidence,

4. Seeing oneself as inadequate and worthless,

5. Lack of attention and concentration,

6. Inability to focus

7. Difficulty remembering concepts,

8. Difficulty in organizing thoughts

9. Weakening of mental strength.


 Emotional Symptoms: 

1. Restlessness,

2. Worry,

3. be nervous

4. Panic state,

5. Being angry

6. Depressed mood

7. Constant crying.


Behavioral Symptoms:

1. Fear of failure,

2. Unwillingness to work,

3. Continuously procrastinating,

4. Refusal to talk about the exam

5. Being frozen in exams,

6. Poor performance despite working hard

7. Carelessness

8. Forgetfulness.


Physical Symptoms: 

1. Fatigue and weakness

2. Nausea,

3. Intestinal disorders,

4. Headache,

5. Tachycardia (heart palpitations),

6. Tremor

7. Sweating,

8. sleep disorder

9. eating disorder (anorexia or binge eating).