Reactions associated with exam anxiety

Physical symtoms

Physical symptoms of exam anxiety, as in all anxiety and stress situations, can be sweating, shaking, palpitations, a dry mouth, difficulty breathing, chest pressure, tense muscles, headache and nausea.

Feelings

Feelings that can arise include depression, anger, shame, disappointment and hopelessness.

Thoughts

Examples of cognitive (thought) symptoms are memory problems, difficulty concentrating, excessive negative thinking and rushing thoughts. 

Behaviour

Typical behavioural reactions in response to anxiety include different ways to try to avoid or reduce exam anxiety. This may involve skipping lectures or, in the worst case, dropping out of a course or programme.  Another way to try to avoid exam anxiety is to study excessively in order to feel more confident and prepared. We may also try to increase the feeling of control by comparing ourselves with others, for example, by keeping track of how much others seem to understand and how far they have come in their studies.

Take a moment to reflect on the emotions, thoughts, and physical symptoms you recognize. What behaviors do they lead to?