Nervousness before an exam is very common and to some extent normal. The problem is when the nervousness starts to get in the way of your studying or your thinking in the exam. The following are general suggestions; if your anxiety seriously affects your daily life, it is good to get support from a professional.
Before the exam
- Regular sleep: in the last days, protect your sleep instead of studying late into the night.
- Practice-exam habit: taking practice exams regularly under exam conditions makes the exam familiar.
- Plan the exam morning: prepare clothes, documents and the route the day before.
- Compare yourself with others less; look at your own progress.
During the exam
- Do not get stuck on a hard question; mark it and move on, then come back.
- When nerves hit, take a few slow, deep breaths.
- If a section went badly, leave it behind and focus on the remaining sections.
Thinking traps
The thought "this exam decides everything" raises the pressure. The exam matters, but it is not the only path; there are options such as additional preferences, next year or different programs. Knowing this can reduce the pressure.
Sharing your feelings with your family or friends also brings relief.