Test taking anxiety is commonly found in most dedicated students when it comes to that time of semester. You begin to predict how your life will be destroyed if you fail, how impossibly hard your teacher will be making the test, and how you won't be able to concentrate on studying. In order to be successful taking tests, whether it's the MCAT, LSAT, or a final exam in college, you must realize that test taking anxiety is easily overcome.

Becoming a successful test taker is all about confidence. With confidence, you will be able to relax and concentrate while studying. Your brain will operate more efficiently at the time of your exam.

When you have test taking anxiety, you constantly worry about failing. This causes you to become distracted and uneasy while studying. When taking the test, you begin to panic when you come across questions you may not be sure about. Above all, if you are unable to control your test taking anxiety, you will not be able to perform well.

Let's outline a few essential steps one must take in overcoming test taking anxiety and becoming a more confident test taker:

? Make a study plan well in advance of your test. Map out what you plan on covering each day leading up to the test. It is important to leave a couple days before the test free in order to do light review and relax.

? The night before the test, be sure to get sufficient sleep. There is nothing that will fuel your test taking anxiety more than exhaustion. You will be unable to concentrate and think during the exam if you are exhausted.

? While taking the test, be sure to pace yourself. If you come across questions you are unsure of, simply skip over them and continue on. Answer the questions you are unsure of when you have completed the questions you are sure of.

? If you have studied sufficiently, are relaxed and concentrated, and find the test to be extremely difficult, do not worry. You have studied all you can and you will do your best. Know that if you find this test difficult, everyone else you are with will too.

Following these simple ideas is a great way to deal with test taking anxiety, but for most people, they need more than a few tips. If you experience test taking anxiety on a regular basis before exams, it is essential that you find the proper help.

Most people are weary of speaking to a stranger about their test taking anxiety, such as a professional therapist, and others do not want to take medication for their problems. Do not worry, because you do not have to. With a click of the mouse on the internet, you will be able to find all kinds of different methods and techniques people have used to treat their panic and anxiety.

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"My daughter is very bright, but she panics when she has to take tests."

"My son can't sleep the night before a test."

"I was so scared during the SATs that I couldn't concentrate at all. I took a prep class, but it didn't help me. I was just too up tight to do well. I'm really worried about taking the GMAT again."

School resumed in the United States about one month ago. For many students, young and old, the return to school includes the experiencing or the re-experiencing of the symptoms of test anxiety.

Lots of bright students of all ages report significant anxiety related to exams. To some extent, it is understandable since the world is quite competitive today and test scores can impact the kind of college you attend, the kind of career you have and the amount of money you earn.

Test anxiety impacts children and adults. I have treated doctors, lawyers and graduate students who have had a huge amount of tension and anxiety related to licensure exams, certification exams and entrance exams. Adult students tend to recognize the symptoms of anxiety.

One physician who I treated recently, knew the exam material very well. As he noted, "My problem with this test is my nerves." Fortunately, he realized he needed help in learning how to calm down prior to the exam and during the actual test in order to pass his board exams. After a few counseling sessions, this doctor was able to successfully pass his certification exam. In addition, he reported little or no anxiety while taking the test.

Younger students and their parents often mistakenly believe that prep classes and coaching will rid them of their anxiety. Prep courses are useful, but they do not provide the right kind of help for the the student who has a great deal of anxiety.

Symptoms of this kind of anxiety include insomnia, nausea, a racing heart and sweaty palms. Some students report feeling dizzy and weak. Obviously, it is difficult to concentrate and perform well when you have these kinds of bodily sensations.

When I counsel somebody with test anxiety, there are several things which must be explored. First, it is important to determine the person is anxious about other issues in their life. Some patients who report test anxiety are quite anxious in other situations as well. Some have multiple fears and phobias. This person requires a different kind of treatment than does someone who reports anxiety that is restricted to exams.

Second, it is useful to get a thorough history and understanding as to the history and the etiology of the problem. Sometimes, test anxiety surfaces after a person does poorly on an important test. The person then begins to fear the next test.

People who suffer from test anxiety benefit from training in test taking skills. I encourage them to do as many practice exams as they can and to develop a system for attacking the exam. Most people like having a uniform game plan for approaching specific parts of a standardized test. This helps them to feel comfortable in the exam room.

We also spend time on the student's pre-exam preparation. We talk about what they need to do the month before the test, the week before the test and the day of the test in order to feel ready and psychologically comfortable.

I also teach people with test anxiety skills for feeling relaxed, focused and confident. These techniques include ego building techniques, exercise, relaxation training, meditation and self-hypnosis. The majority of these patients can be helped without any medication.

You can get a comprehensive program to help you or child manage test anxiety at http://www.ConquerTestAnxiety.com

Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist and the founder of http://www.conquertestanxiety.com He has written and lectured extensively on self-help and has appeared in The New York Times, Good Morning America, The Associate Press, The Bergen Record, The The Newark Star Ledger. He is also a former university professor.