WEAK TEST SUBJECTS
Facing your weak spots gives you some distinct advantages. It helps a lot to find out where you need to spend extra effort. Increased
exposure to tough material makes it more familiar and less intimidating. (After all, we mostly fear what we don’t know and are
probably afraid to face.) You’ll feel better about yourself because you’re dealing directly with areas of the test that bring on your
anxiety. You can’t help feeling more confident when you know you’re actively strengthening your chances of earning a higher overall
test score.
VERY SUPERSTITIOUS
Stress expert Stephen Sideroff, PhD, tells of a client who always stressed out before, during, and even after taking tests. Yet,
she always got outstanding scores. It became obvious that she was thinking superstitiously—subconsciously believing that
the great scores were a result of her worrying. She also didn’t trust herself and believed that if she didn’t worry, she
wouldn’t study hard enough. Sideroff convinced her to take a risk and work on relaxing before her next test. She did, and her
test results were still as good as ever—which broke her cycle of superstitious thinking.Now, go back to the “good” list and expand on it for two minutes. Take the general items on that first list and make them more
specific; take the specific items and expand them into more general conclusions. Naturally, if anything new comes to mind, jot it
down. Focus all of your attention and effort on your strengths. Don’t underestimate yourself or your abilities. Give yourself full
credit. At the same time, don’t list strengths you don’t really have; you’ll only be fooling yourself.
Expanding from general to specific might go as follows. If you listed “reading” as a broad topic you feel strong in, you would then
narrow your focus to include areas of this subject about which you are particularly knowledgeable. Your areas of strength might
include a strong sense of logical construction, ability to spot logical flaws, etc.
Whatever you know comfortably goes on your “good” list. Okay. You’ve got the picture. Now, get ready, check your starting time,
and start writing down items on your expanded “good” list.
STRESS TIP
Don’t work in a messy or cramped area. Before you sit down to study, clear yourself a nice, open space. And make sure you
have books, paper, pencils—whatever tools you will need—within easy reach before you sit down to study.