Many students feel pressured because of the expectations of family members or teachers. They want to do their best work so that they do not let anyone down with their performance. This pressure to do well can heighten exam stress.

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• Make sure you're prepared. That means studying for the test until you feel comfortable with the material. Don't wait until the night before. If you aren't sure how to study, ask a teacher or parent for help. Being prepared will boost your confidence, which will lessen your test anxiety.
• Confront the negative thoughts. If you start to have anxious or defeated thoughts, such as "I'm not good enough," "I didn't study hard enough," or "I can't do this," push those thoughts away and replace them with positive thoughts. "I can do this," "I know the material," and "I studied hard," can go far in helping to manage your stress level when taking a test.
• Get enough sleep. A good night's sleep will help your concentration and memory.
• Take deep breaths. If you start to feel anxious while you're taking your test, breathe deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Work through each question or problem one at a time, taking a deep breath in between each one as needed. Making sure you are giving your lungs plenty of oxygen can help your focus and sense of calm.

• Avoid the perfectionist trap. Don't expect to be perfect. We all make mistakes and that's okay. Knowing you've done your best and worked hard is really all that matters, not perfection.

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