Berkeley Parents Network: Test Taking

Berkeley Parents Network

Test Taking

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > School & Preschool > Test Taking

High school student with severe test anxiety

June 2004

My high school junior experiences severe test anxiety on standardized tests. She doesn't need a SAT subject tutor but does need help in test approach and handling the anxiety of the test environment. She has taken a decent prep course and used different prep books. Any recommendations for someone who could help with this? This is not about getting a few more points on a test - this is drawing-a-blank, melt-down sort of anxiety. I have looked at the previous recommendations and but most are skewed towards subject tutoring.

As a former teacher of test prep, I had students just like your daughter. Two of them benefitted greatly from hypnotherapy. I haven't tried it, but it worked very well for them. Both ended up scoring as well as they did in practice. Good Luck! anne

Test anxiety is just terrible. A few suggestions: Your child may have a learning style difference that demands more time to take tests. Unfortunately this means being tested for a ''learning disability'' and being approved by the school, which is a taxing process. You might ask your medical doctor for a prescription for a betablocker--then I would recommend taking a very, very small amount of the pill under the tongue about 1/2 hour prior to the test.Do a trial first to see if the drug causes drowiness, or doesn't feel right. Your child might benefit from this very small dosage prior to future tests, public speaking or other anxiety-producing events. No regular taking of the drug is necessary. Finally,working out a test taking strategy, not talking to anyone prior to the test and wearing earplugs might help a little.

Therapist for teens with test taking anxiety

Does anyone have recommendations for therapists providing counseling or coaching for teens with test taking anxiety -- either for standardized testing such as the SATs or for taking tests and exams in high school? David

I answered my own question! I have located a Berkeley therapist who works specifically with the issue of test-taking anxiety. She is Claire Stone, MFT, a licensed marriage and family counselor. Her web site (with contact information) is http://www.berkeley-ca-therapist.com. There is a page on Claire Stone's web site that addresses therapy for test-taking anxiety: http://www.berkeley-ca-therapist.com/testanxiety.html

Hope this is helpful for other parents too. David

Hi- I have worked with a number of students on issues such as test anxiety and self-esteem, specifically in relation to the SAT. Please email/ call me if you would like to discuss your child's individual needs. Thank you, Michael hhspiel at earthlink.net

Hi, I recommend the Alexander Technique for your son to help him figure out how to find and relax habitual tensions. I am a tutor and Alexander Technique teacher. I look at breathing and see how we can make that more free. Anxiety can't have the same hold if the breath and body are free. The Alexander technique is taught using a gentle hands on and verbal approach. I work from my home in Oakland, but there are many Alexander Technique teachers in the bay area. The art of relaxation is a wonderful gift to give to your son. I'm happy to have a phone conversation with you if you are interested. My number is 510 482-2276. Sincerely, Susan Schreier bodywiz at hotmail.com

Teen with Poor Test-taking Skills

My 15-yr old son is getting decent grades but he doesn't do as well on tests as we think he could and I'm sure it has to do with his test-taking skills, not his knowledge of the subject matter. Does anyone have suggestions about classes or training for students who want to improve test taking abilities? Thanks.

My 16 year old daughter just started SAT prep tutoring which includes a lot of test taking skills. The tutor is tailoring the sessions to her needs which are in the verbal section of the test. No results yet (her second SAT I exam is on May 1), but the tutor was recommended by a reputable educational consultant. I spoke with the tutor this evening and found that he tutors many kids with various academic abilities on test taking skills. He comes to your home and charges $50 cash/$55 check per hour. His name and contact information is:

 Paul Osborne
      2342 Shattuck Ave., #223
      Berkeley, CA  94704-1517
      301-5302
      paulthetutor AT bigfoot.com

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