Tips for Managing Test Anxiety in IELTS Exam – The IELTS examination is taken by individuals who wish to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country. The test can be daunting for many students, especially when accompanied by test anxiety, which can negatively impact performance and lead to poor scores.
In this blog post, we will provide you with techniques that Dolphin Head Hunters professional teachers have suggested for overcoming test anxiety in the IELTS examination. We aim to help you manage your stress levels during the exam so that you can score well.
Understanding Test Anxiety
Test anxiety is defined as a psychological condition that manifests in the form of feelings of discomfort or an increase in stress levels before or during a test/exam. According to our expert teachers at Dolphin Head Hunters, students often face these feelings due to various reasons like a lack of preparation, fear of failure, time pressure, and past bad experiences.
The most common symptoms experienced by students are – increased heart rate, profuse sweating, shaking hands/legs, and feeling nauseous. This anxiety hinders their performance during the exam and affects their overall score.
When is Test Anxiety Bad?
Anxiety can have a positive effect if it’s at a level that students can manage. It may, for example, encourage them to prepare well and to overcome challenges they face in the IELTS test itself.
In many cases though, test anxiety can lead to any number of the following, all of which I have seen in the IELTS classroom at one time or another and all of which hurt students’ test preparation and performance.
Test anxiety can lead to:
- extensive worry
- negative thoughts
- low self-belief
- emotional instability
- less ability to recall information
- less motivation
- the use of surface-level learning over deep-level learning
An example is a student completing an IELTS Writing Task and asking what their score is (surface level learning) rather than thinking about what they did well, what problems they had, and what they need to improve (deep level learning).
Techniques for Overcoming Test Anxiety
Our supervised teachers suggest several techniques to overcome test anxiety related to IELTS exams.
One such technique is deep breathing which helps reduce anxiety levels. To perform this technique, take slow deep breaths guided by counting and say positive affirmations like “I am ready for this”. This exercise helps calm nerves immediately making the student more composed.
Visualisation is another useful technique recommended by our experts at Dolphin Head Hunters where the student imagines themselves performing well in the exam confidently answering questions without any distractions. Visualizing success beforehand increases positivity levels eradicating any negative thoughts they may have had earlier henceforth reducing anxiety levels.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique (PMRT) involves tensing muscles softly followed by relaxing them while practising breathing exercises. Our expert suggests starting from the head muscles down till the toes region works way better along with continuously breathing deep while holding each body part.
Lastly, Yoga or meditation before the exam also helps alleviate stress levels and clear one’s mind. Practices like these are considered simple yet effective techniques proven over time to better guide individuals in controlling their mental health and performance.
Tips for Managing Test Anxiety in IELTS Exam
Our professionals provide students with practical tips on how to stay calm during the exam. A strategy that has proven efficient is creating a checklist for the exam day which could include items to bring, important documents, etc. Running through this list helps reduce panic on the day of the exam.
Our expert teachers also advise students to remind themselves of their achievements, and strengths while on the way to the exam center. This increases positivity levels resulting in a boost of confidence levels hence making them feel more secure.
Other simple tasks such as bringing some refreshments can make them feel more prepared thus elevating their comfort level and decreasing anxiety levels.
Boosting Performance during the IELTS Examination
In addition to managing test anxiety levels during the IELTS examination, our expert teachers suggest approaches you can take on time management skills throughout each section whether it be reading, writing, listening, or speaking sections. Certain exams send audio recordings so getting accustomed to earphones beforehand makes them feel comfortable.
They advise attending mock tests available at Dolphin Head Hunters which prepare one for their Oral session (Speaking test) duration involving practice sessions wherein they face actual questions given in the IELTS test ( also known as band-scores).
Conclusion
Overcoming test anxiety is crucial for better performance in any exam including the IELTS examination. The techniques outlined here by our professional teachers have helped several students to achieve success in their IELTS exam leading towards greater opportunities nationwide.
Remember practice always makes a man perfect, so to score well, plan your preparation right from the start. We encourage you to visit Dolphin Head Hunters where we offer comprehensive study materials along with course enrollment options taught by our expert teachers who have helped hundreds achieve their dreams abroad leading towards substantial opportunities as travellers or immigrants with excellent IELTS scores.
FAQs on Tips for Managing Test Anxiety in IELTS Exam
Question 1. What are the techniques to overcome test anxiety?
Answer. You can overcome test anxiety by:
- Managing your time
- Positive self-talk
- Relaxing yourself with yoga or meditation
- Building self-confidence
Question 2. Which is the best IELTS test preparation company?
Answer. Dolphin Head Hunters is the best IELTS test preparation company.
