Test Anxiety: What Are the Effects?
Test Anxiety: What Are the Effects?
What Is Test Anxiety?
"Test anxiety is actually a type of performance anxiety — a feeling someone might have in a situation where performance really counts or when the pressure's on to do well. "
-Kathryn Hoffses
Test anxiety, a lot of the time, is that nervous feeling people may get before a test. But more often than not that nervous feeling can escalate to the point where it interferes with performance. This typically happens because our bodies are releasing adrenaline.
Read more about what test anxiety is here.
Test anxiety is becoming more and more common in schools and a lot of time can have a lot of physical or emotional effects. This video from We Are Teachers explains the facts of testing anxiety.
What Are the Effects of Testing Anxiety?
Emotional Effects:
- Stress
- Fear
- Helplessness
- Disappointment
- Mind going blank
- Racing thoughts
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fidgeting
Physical Effects:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Rapid heartbeat
- Light headedness
- Feeling faint
- Sweating
- Panic Attacks
Find out more about the effects of test anxiety here.
Can We Assess Student Learning Without Testing?
"Learning doesn’t have to stop when assessment begins. Teachers need data about student learning, but adding more tests isn’t the only option." - Pearson
- Student Schoolwork
- Games
- Portfolios
- Challenges
- Projects
Learn more about these methods here.
Results of No Tests
So what is Finland doing and why is it working so well?
Well, Finland doesn't have standardized testing. They believe in a holistic approach of learning to learn and not just to pass a test.
So if we have proof that there is a better way than testing that will not only better our education system but decrease student anxiety, why aren't we doing the same?
Read more about Finland's approach to education here.
Have a look at this graph that shows Reading Performance (PISA) by Country
This article I found to be very interesting and I personally have had testing anxiety. Not all the time but most of the time, especially after graduating with my under-grad and I had to take my teaching certificate test which took more than one time and the stress was only worsening. I can see the pros and cons to not using tests within your classroom but I feel it is an old school approach that we have kept going for ages now.
ReplyDeleteAs a special education teacher, I am a big proponent of alternative evaluation methods, such as those that were listed. (ie.Use of a portfolio, or a project), that shows learning. We really need to think outside the box and it is not a "one size fits all" for the diverse learners we have. It was intersting that test anxiety was likened to performance anxiety. I had never thought of it that way, but it certainly makes sense, as test takers are expected to perform, and perform at a high level in order to pass. Anxiety in all forms can be crippling, and those that struggle with test anxiety are robbed of the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and ultimately their full potential.
ReplyDeleteFor years, I believed we over test our students and for dumb reasons. Some tests are simply because the Administration needs to prove that they are helping teachers improve. These tests have no actual bearing on whether or not the students are doing well. Some tests a crap shoot for some students and they "luck out". Dare I say that I have towed the line when it comes to testing. We have discussions in our department meetings about meaningful assessments and not just testing the students to say we tested them. I can see it in my students with what test anxiety does to them and some more than others. We know that PSATs and SATs are not equitable... so why do we keep pushing the standardized testing???
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic. I've never thought of test anxiety as performance anxiety but I guess it makes sense! We are asking students to perform to the best of their ability during these tests. I think some tests have a place in schools, for example I work closely with the intervention team and we rely on diagnostic tests like iReady to see where students fall and what their needs are. But, I also push myself to assess students in a variety of student-centered ways, whether that be projects or speeches, etc. I like how you talked about the education system in Finland because it shows, like you said, that a no test system works!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting topic. I've often thought my son suffers from test anxiety and it is something I'm not that familiar with. Thankfully his teachers always assess using a variety of ways-papers, projects, portfolios. I've always appreciated that but worry with standardized tests like the SAT's and ACT's. How do we help students succeed on those high stakes tests?
ReplyDeleteI loved that you included the part about Norway- I think that is so interesting. If one of the best education systems in the world doesn't use standardized testing, then why are we putting our students through all this stress? I think it is so important to assess learning through different ways rather than a sit down exam. Projects, games, and group work all allow for creativity and collaboration without making the student feel super anxious. In instances that we have to give a normal exam (the district/school requires it), are there strategies teachers can use to bring that test anxiety down? I have seen some teachers use affirmations with their students before testing and wonder what other ways we can help on test day?
ReplyDeleteOne of my dreams is to one day go visit a school in Finland and see first hand their alternative methods for education. It does not surprise me that they do not like stantardized testing. I think this is a very important topic. As someone who experienced high testing anxiety growing up I was always very grateful for my teachers who provided me with extra time on tests, periods to take the test by myself, and when I did do really poorly because of anxiety, check in with me to let me know that they see the effort that I give in class and that they know my test is not a complete representation of me as a learner in their classroom. I think it is important for teachers to provide multiple ways for students to show what they've learned.
ReplyDelete