foridahoteachers.org / isat resources / test stress

*** Stress is perceived. 

A situation that feels stressful to one person may not feel stressful to another.  Stress is also contagious; we pick up on and take on the stress levels of those around us.  Teachers have a more significant impact on the stress levels of their students than many realize.  If the student perceives that his or her teacher (or parent) is greatly stressed about a test situation, that student is likely to get stressed about it as well.

Low, short-term levels of stress may be motivating, but brain research has shown that high levels of stress and/or stress that is on-going impairs learning and performance.  As teachers, we know that students who are stressed out don't do as well.  They have a hard time concentrating and focusing on the task at hand.

While many causes of a student's stress may be beyond a teacher's control, there are several things that we can do.  Generally speaking, we can help control the stress levels of our students by preparing them ahead of time and by managing our own levels of stress.

1. Let Students Know What to Expect

• Inform students of the date and time of the test, as soon as you know

• Inform students of where the test will be taken. (If possible, especially with younger students, let them see where they will go for the test.)

• If possible, let them see what the test will look like (screen shots or copy from a sample)
  • ISAT Training Samples

• Discuss test-taking strategies, such as how to narrow down multiple choice options
  • Test-Taking Strategies (from BYU): Detailed strategies for various test types, with sample questions
  • General Test Strategies for Essay, Objective and Problem-Based Tests

• Have reasonable expectations for your students' results, and guide them in goal-setting and/or planning for positive growth

• Remind students that they are not expected to know the answer to every questions

2. Look for and Express the Positive

• Instruct your students to do the same

• Identify specific benefits of the particular test - What will you and your students get from it?

• If possible, avoid negative people. Like stress, negativity is contagious.

• Find things to make you smile!
  • Teacher Jokes

3. Breathe Deeply

• Teach your students to do the same

• The idea is not so much to relax as to prepare, like a runner at the starting blocks, ready to begin the race

4. Take Care of Yourself

• Eat and sleep well

• Exercise: Stand up, walk stretch, move!

• Instruct your students to do the same

Additional Resources:

• Test-Taking Strategies for Students, Parents and Teachers: Excellent summary of basic strategies
• Test Stress: Article about test stress, including symptoms and tips
• Take the Stress out of Standardized Tests: Scholastic article focused on elementary and middle grades