What factors influence a student`s “perception of threat” caused by a test?
Dr. Spielberger: Emphasis on academic performance at home, difficulty with tests in the past, liking or disliking the content of the course, and the student`s relationship with the teacher all influence how students react to tests. GC: Can that sense of threat change during the test itself? Dr. Spielberger: Definitely! If a student has prepared and is doing well, there is a lower probability that negative cognitive reactions will occur during the test. On the other hand, if the student has difficulty in working on the test, this will increase test anxiety. So how a student does on the test itself may influence their level of test anxiety. GC: Can test anxiety be treated? Dr. Spielberger: Yes…for example, in our Counseling Center at the University of South Florida, we not only help students to deal with the anxiety they feel in test situations, but also help them in terms of their study habits and attitudes. It`s not sufficient to feel less anxious during a test; you must also prepare
