Examination anxiety

Every year this time round there is a lot of talk of 'exam stress' or 'exam anxiety'. Any event that tests our abilities and attracts the attention of everyone around us is bound to make anyone anxious. I agree that so much of what one can do in the future depends upon how a child performs at this point . But don't you feel that if children were allowed to take all their exams including the boards as only a measure of how much of what they have learned in the whole academic year - a mere evaluation or assessment for their own understanding of their achievement level rather than a matter of life and death- more than half the problem is taken care of?Why fret about exam anxiety - in the process creating some, even for the confident students? What I mean to say is if schools and parents were to look into things that may create a panic situation towards the end of the session and start to work on them right from the beginning of the session, things would be easier for the students and the authorities as a whole. Anxiety is a normal phenomenon that every individual is bound to face before any performance. And we all know that some amount of anxiety is necessary for optimal performance. The point is that no child can suddenly fall prey to overwhelming anxiety. There are some characteristic features in children who would succumb to the pressure. The signs of difficulties would be visible very early in their academic history. It is because they are overlooked in the earlier classes that they take on a full- blown shape at the time when internal and external pressures to perform peak.

Catch the early signs of exam anxiety-

Consistent inability of a child to perform in one or more subjects.

Poor performance despite additional help (tutions/coaching)

Inability to focus and concentrate on studies.

Tendency to put off work (procrastination).

Physical illness just before tests on repeated occassions.

Disinterest in school and other related activities.

Excessive crying/nervousness before exams.

Inability to concentrate and frequent forgetfulness.

A tendency to hide homework diaries, report cards and test papers.

And in extreme cases avoidance of school and other social activities, negative ideation and suicidal tendency.

In case you find any of these in your child it is time to seek help.