Emotional Test Takers

Oftentimes, there is major confusion as to what it takes to do well on a standardized test.

Students work hard to fill the gaps in their knowledge so they can be prepared for every type of math question. They slave over vocabulary words so that no word will stump them on test day. They memorize the grammar rules, gaining an understanding of how sentences work and what tricks the test makers like to pull.

Parents rightly press their kids to work harder. Students press themselves. Then test day comes and for some strange reason the score goes down. Sometimes drastically.

What is going on?

First of all, it is absolutely necessary to work hard to learn the content of these tests. The SAT and ACT are finite tests, meaning the amount of hard “knowledge” you need is limited. Find out what is being tested, and then study that until it sinks in.

But there is another major aspect which is often overlooked: The emotions. Many students are emotional test takers. Their test scores suffer because on some deep level they don’t believe they can achieve what they set out to achieve. They pay more attention to their negative feelings and thoughts, their worries about scoring high, and less attention to the words on the page right there in front of them.

Research and experience has shown again and again that a sense of confidence leads to an increased capacity to concentrate. The standardized tests are, above all, tests of concentration. The more clearly you can read and process the words on the page, the better you will do.

So stay in touch with this overlooked dimension of test taking when you are preparing for these tests. Success is not guaranteed if you work hard. Ask yourself if you are an emotional test taker. Acknowledging this can be a first important step in improving your ability to concentrate under pressure!