Overcoming Test Anxiety in Taking the LET Exam

Everything has already been prepared. Thus, you are now ready to take the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET). It’s finally the long awaited day. Or so you thought.

First, you went to your testing place. Next, you look for your assigned room. Nervous, your eyes wander around to check on the people inside the same room you are in. Suddenly, the Let examiner (proctor) comes in the room, and you go to your assigned place. The proctor hands out the test booklets and at the same moment you felt a shiver down your spine as the examiner gives the guidelines for taking the exam. You are told that you have 3 hours to finish the General Education part. You feel cold sweat dripping from your face. Bam! You cannot concentrate. You lose your focus. Everything falls apart.

A lot of students nowadays feel the same kind of pressure when taking exams, especially the major exams. This is called TEST ANXIETY. Examiners experience test anxiety because they are afraid of failure, so they give in to the pressure, especially when they are faced with a highly important situation like taking exams. Here are some practical tips and ways to avoid test anxiety.

1. Disregard every thought not related to taking the exam.

This will help you focus all your energy and mental power into the exam itself. Forget your boyfriend/girlfriend for now. Forget facebook, games, and any other distraction that can make you lose your attention to what is really important. This is a once in a lifetime event in your life.

2. Come prepared.

Prepare everything beforehand, not on the day of the examination itself. It’s better if you have prepared the materials needed (2 pencils, 1 black pen, admission slip etc.) a month before to avoid rushing.

3. Get a good night’s sleep.

It is good to review the topics a lot but if it means losing some sleep, then don’t. Lacking sleep right before taking an exam makes you feel drowsy. Lack of sleep can also make you feel irritated easily, and it also disrupts your appetite.

4. Make sure to eat healthily.

A healthy body equals a healthy mind. You don’t want your stomach to get in your way while taking the exam now, do you?

5. Listen attentively. Follow instructions carefully and precisely.

Failing because you didn’t listen well to the instructions is one of the biggest mistakes you can have in your LET exam.

6. Manage your time well.

If you have 3 hours to answer a 150 item test, then allot at most a little more than a minute for every item. Don’t focus too much on one item that it makes you rush the last items because you don’t have enough time anymore.

Remember, you don’t want to let all your preparations go to waste. It is wise to do all that you possible can to increase your chances of passing, even just a little. So just do your best, and God will do the rest. Good luck to all LET takers.