It is understandable that most students experience some level of anxiety during an exam. However, when anxiety affects exam performance, then it becomes a problem.

Tests, such as the ACT, have large roles in the course of your life. How you perform during a few short hours while hunched over a small desk in some strange building can have major consequences. It can determine which college you will go to, which job you will get, and most of the time, what kind of future you will have. So to help you cope with the stress, here are some tips from awesomescores.com.

Set Realistic Goals

Understanding how to set attainable goals is an important skill for all facets of life. Studying for standardized tests like the ACT is one area where setting proper goals can be the difference between success and failure. Setting rigorous yet reasonable goals during preparation for such exams focuses your studying in effective ways. Practice with a sample test or booklet, so you know what you can and can’t do.

Use Positive Imagery

Place yourself in a relaxing situation; imagine dipping your toes in the sand along the seashore, or getting cozy in front of the fireplace in a cold winter night. Use all five of your senses to make the scene come alive. You will be surprised how much test anxiety you can alleviate by just transporting yourself to a place without a ticking clock.

Approach the Exam with Confidence

Much of our test anxiety comes from our own lack of confidence, and since a cheering squad can’t sit with you during the test, you are going to have to boost your own morale. Use whatever strategies you can to visualize success: imagination, logic, talking to yourself, practice, team work, journaling, etc. More importantly, perceive the exam as an opportunity to show how much you have studied and to see the result as a reward for the studying you’ve done.