5 tips for reducing exam stress and anxiety

 It’s no secret that exams can be nerve-wracking for many different reasons. However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can manage your nerves and approach your exam with confidence. Here are 5 tips for reducing exam stress and empowering yourself to succeed.

1. Study effectively

Understanding the format of your exam is crucial. Exams have different tasks that assess your language skills – for example, speaking interviews, reading comprehension or essay-writing tasks. Familiarise yourself with the task types in your exam through practice and by using sample questions in online demos and practice tests.

The more you practise, the better you’ll understand what is expected of you. If you’re taking an exam like Oxford Test of English, be sure to know how the tasks are presented and what technical aspects you might need to handle.

You can also practise a lot of the skills required in a test like the Oxford Test of English in real-life situations, such as leaving a voicemail or writing an email.

2. Find support

Joining a study group can offer mutual support and motivation. Sharing tips, resources and practice sessions with others can make a significant difference to your exam-preparation journey and reduce exam stress. You can also find useful tips and resources on our social channels.

If self-study isn’t enough, consider enrolling in a class or finding a teacher. This can help give your preparation structure and focus, guiding you through the material that you need to know for the exam.

3. Focus on your goals

Stay positive and keep your goals in sight. Remind yourself why you’re taking the exam. Is it for travel, university, career advancement or personal satisfaction? Use this as your motivation to put time into preparation. 

You can also take inspiration from others who’ve taken the test, like Francisco from Spain, who said ‘taking the Oxford Test of English was a good experience and a great starting point for improving and practising my English during my travels’ or Nicolas from Argentina, who said ‘The Oxford Test of English meant I could take the next step on my career ladder’. 

4. Take care of your mind and body

How to reduce test anxiety? Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly and establish a consistent sleep routine to reduce stress and anxiety, particularly in the weeks leading up to your exam. 

In addition, don’t forget to take study breaks – overworking can lead to burnout. You might think it’s helpful to sit for hours on end studying back-to-back-to-back, but taking a break can help you feel more energised and ready to sit down and study again. It’s good for you both physically and mentally. 

Remember, studying is important, but so is personal time to unwind and reflect.

5. Keep calm and confident on exam day

When exam day arrives, take a deep breath. Believe in your preparation and abilities and keep calm and confident. 

Read through the questions carefully and allocate your time wisely. A great tip from Marina in Spain, who took the Oxford Test of English, is to be aware that ‘…if you don’t use all the time for one of the modules – Speaking, Listening, Reading or Writing – you can use that time in another part of the test. So don’t hurry. Use all of the allocated time for each section, and you’ll do great.’

It’s also helpful to visualise success; imagine yourself completing the test with confidence. This positive mental practice can help reduce test anxiety. 

By following these useful tips, you can reduce your exam stress and anxiety in the lead up to the day.