ARTICLES
NAPLAN study finds testing causes students anxiety, program not achieving original goals
By Tracy Bowden
Updated 19 May 2014, 4:31pm
A new study on the effects of the National Assessment Program - Literacy And Numeracy (NAPLAN) has found the nationwide school testing is not achieving what it set out to do, and is having unintended negative consequences.
Eric Sidoti, project leader of the study, says since NAPLAN's inception in 2008 it has changed from being used as a diagnostic tool to a comparative measure.
"NAPLAN has taken on a life of its own. I guess what has happened is the testing tail is wagging the educational dog," Mr Sidoti told ABC's 7.30.
"It is symptomatic of the high stakes of NAPLAN as it has come to be, rather than what it was intended to be."
The teachers told me that if you don't do well in NAPLAN you won't get a good education ... and then if you don't get a good education you can't get a good job.
The study was undertaken by the Whitlam Institute at the University of Western Sydney and conducted by the University of Melbourne.
It found the tests were causing high levels of anxiety among some students.
"For a significant minority you are finding levels of stress that are beyond the norm, so not just a question of being nervous but vomiting, sleeplessness, migraines," Mr Sidoti said.
It is a view borne out by the experience of Lily Taylor and her nine-year-old son, Hamish.
Hamish is one of millions of children in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 who sat the test last week and he is aware of just how important NAPLAN is.
"The teachers told me that if you don't do well in NAPLAN you won't get a good education to get into a good school, and then if you don't get a good education you can't get a good job," he said.
His mother is worried about the pressure on him to perform well.
"He did say to me that he wasn't sleeping, that he was waking up in the night and he is usually a very good sleeper. So that was of concern," Ms Taylor said.
By Tracy Bowden
Updated 19 May 2014, 4:31pm
A new study on the effects of the National Assessment Program - Literacy And Numeracy (NAPLAN) has found the nationwide school testing is not achieving what it set out to do, and is having unintended negative consequences.
Eric Sidoti, project leader of the study, says since NAPLAN's inception in 2008 it has changed from being used as a diagnostic tool to a comparative measure.
"NAPLAN has taken on a life of its own. I guess what has happened is the testing tail is wagging the educational dog," Mr Sidoti told ABC's 7.30.
"It is symptomatic of the high stakes of NAPLAN as it has come to be, rather than what it was intended to be."
The teachers told me that if you don't do well in NAPLAN you won't get a good education ... and then if you don't get a good education you can't get a good job.
The study was undertaken by the Whitlam Institute at the University of Western Sydney and conducted by the University of Melbourne.
It found the tests were causing high levels of anxiety among some students.
"For a significant minority you are finding levels of stress that are beyond the norm, so not just a question of being nervous but vomiting, sleeplessness, migraines," Mr Sidoti said.
It is a view borne out by the experience of Lily Taylor and her nine-year-old son, Hamish.
Hamish is one of millions of children in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 who sat the test last week and he is aware of just how important NAPLAN is.
"The teachers told me that if you don't do well in NAPLAN you won't get a good education to get into a good school, and then if you don't get a good education you can't get a good job," he said.
His mother is worried about the pressure on him to perform well.
"He did say to me that he wasn't sleeping, that he was waking up in the night and he is usually a very good sleeper. So that was of concern," Ms Taylor said.
What Causes Test Anxiety?The Potential Causes of Test Anxiety
By Kendra Cherry
Psychology Expert
While test anxiety can be very stressful for students who suffer from it, many people do not realize that is actually quite common. Nervousness and anxiety are perfectly normal reactions to stress. For some people, however, this fear can become so intense that it actually interferes with their ability to perform well on a test.
So what causes test anxiety? For many students, it can be a combination of things.
Bad study habits, poor past test performance and underlying anxiety problems can all contribute to test anxiety.
Biological Causes of Test Anxiety
In stressful situations, such as before and during an exam, the body releases a hormone called adrenaline. This helps prepare the body to deal with what is about to happen and is commonly referred to as the "fight-or-flight" response. Essentially, this response prepares you to either stay and deal with the stress or escape the situation entirely. In a lot of cases, this adrenaline rush is actually a good thing. It helps prepare you to deal effectively with stressful situations, ensuring that you are alert and ready.
For some people, however, the symptoms of anxiety they feel can become so excessive that it makes it difficult or even impossible to focus on the test. Symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and shaking hands can actually make people feel even more nervous, especially if they become preoccupied with test anxiety symptoms.
Mental Causes of Test Anxiety
In addition to the underlying biological causes on anxiety, there are many mental factors that can play a role in test anxiety.
Student expectations are one major mental factor. For example, if a student believes that she will perform poorly on an exam, she is far more likely to become anxious before and during a test.
Test anxiety can also become a vicious cycle. After experiencing anxiety during one exam, students may become so fearful about it happening again that they actually become even more anxious during the next exam. After repeatedly enduring test anxiety, students may begin to feel helpless to change their situation.
By Kendra Cherry
Psychology Expert
While test anxiety can be very stressful for students who suffer from it, many people do not realize that is actually quite common. Nervousness and anxiety are perfectly normal reactions to stress. For some people, however, this fear can become so intense that it actually interferes with their ability to perform well on a test.
So what causes test anxiety? For many students, it can be a combination of things.
Bad study habits, poor past test performance and underlying anxiety problems can all contribute to test anxiety.
Biological Causes of Test Anxiety
In stressful situations, such as before and during an exam, the body releases a hormone called adrenaline. This helps prepare the body to deal with what is about to happen and is commonly referred to as the "fight-or-flight" response. Essentially, this response prepares you to either stay and deal with the stress or escape the situation entirely. In a lot of cases, this adrenaline rush is actually a good thing. It helps prepare you to deal effectively with stressful situations, ensuring that you are alert and ready.
For some people, however, the symptoms of anxiety they feel can become so excessive that it makes it difficult or even impossible to focus on the test. Symptoms such as nausea, sweating, and shaking hands can actually make people feel even more nervous, especially if they become preoccupied with test anxiety symptoms.
Mental Causes of Test Anxiety
In addition to the underlying biological causes on anxiety, there are many mental factors that can play a role in test anxiety.
Student expectations are one major mental factor. For example, if a student believes that she will perform poorly on an exam, she is far more likely to become anxious before and during a test.
Test anxiety can also become a vicious cycle. After experiencing anxiety during one exam, students may become so fearful about it happening again that they actually become even more anxious during the next exam. After repeatedly enduring test anxiety, students may begin to feel helpless to change their situation.
How to Tell if You Have Test Anxiety
It's normal to feel a little nervous before an important test. But if you chronically have uncomfortable symptoms before a test, then you might have test anxiety. Test anxiety affects many people of all ages and intelligence, and its symptoms are rooted in your biological "fight or flight" response. For whatever reason, your mind likely perceives an upcoming exam as a threat, and then initiates a cascade of hormones that prepare the body for quick action in the face of this threat.
To see if you have test anxiety, look over the following checklist and make a note of which ones ring true for you:
Symptoms
Let's say that you have a big exam coming up. Think about the test date in your mind - picture yourself in front of those questions at the testing center. How do you feel? Are you excited, ready to ace the exam and move into the next chapter of your career? Or do you feel an impending sense of dread, with your stomach tied in knots, anxious for the test to be over so you can relax?
If you fall into the latter group, you're not alone. Test anxiety affects many people of all ages and intelligence, and its symptoms are rooted in your biological "fight or flight" response. For whatever reason, your mind likely perceives an upcoming exam as a threat and then initiates a cascade of hormones that prepare the body for quick action in the face of this threat. But with a little training, you can learn to harness the "fight or flight" symptoms to your advantage.
Let's look at the symptoms of test anxiety:
Increased heart rate. This is one of the first symptoms to appear. Even thinking about the test may cause your pulse to quicken involuntarily. For some people this is uncomfortable because they don't feel in control of themselves, and they fear that this lack of control will affect their test performance. But an increased heart rate is actually a good thing in some ways because it gets blood to your brain and helps you think quickly.
Fast, shallow breathing. Another symptom of the "fight or flight" response, fast and shallow breathing, is something you will need to counteract, because your brain needs oxygen to concentrate. Try to take several deep breaths periodically, and make a point of inhaling and exhaling as long as possible.
Dry mouth. The adrenaline that causes you to feel jittery before a test will also dry out your mouth. Keep a bottle of water handy and take sips as needed.
Nausea and other gastrointestinal issues. Since childhood, nervousness of any kind affects our digestive system. If you have test anxiety, you may feel nausea, have stomach cramps, or experience diarrhea. Before an exam, try to avoid excessive amounts of caffeine, and make sure to eat light, healthy meals like toast and fruit or a bowl of cereal. Stay away from fatty or heavy meals, but don't try to test on an empty stomach, either.
When Anxiety Upsets Your StomachFor people who suffer from test anxiety, what begins as butterflies-in-the-stomach often evolves into an uncomfortable and disturbing array of digestive symptoms including nausea, gas, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. If test anxiety causes you to spend more time running toward the bathroom than getting ready for the test, here's what you need to know:
Stay away from alcohol. At first, a glass or two of wine or some other type of alcohol may seem like a good idea. As a depressant, alcohol will momentarily calm your nerves. But it can also aggravate your digestive process and cause you to feel less "balanced" once its effect wears off.
Avoid excess caffeine. If you need a morning cup of coffee to get going, don't worry - one small cup of coffee won't send you over the edge. However, too much caffeine can interfere with your concentration (making you more jittery) and send your digestive symptoms into overdrive. If you have a history of test anxiety, the morning of the test is not the time to load up on your favorite caffeinated drink.
Consider an antacid. A nervous stomach produces too much acid, causing that "sour stomach" feeling. An over-the-counter antacid may relieve the discomfort, and may also help to reduce gas and bloating. Make sure to check with your physician before taking antacids regularly, especially if you take other prescription medications. Antacids can interact with certain vitamins and prescription drugs.
Brew some tea. Herbal tea, that is. Herbs like peppermint, chamomile, ginger, and licorice have been shown to reduce indigestion and have a calming effect. While the tea itself can be helpful, you will find the most benefit if you adopt your own anti-anxiety tea-drinking ritual. As the tea brews, turn your mind toward positive thoughts about the test. Picture yourself taking the test calmly and successfully. Perhaps you might want to sit down with your tea in a favorite chair and read a good book or do some other quiet activity that you enjoy. You may find that this tea-drinking ritual becomes a regular way to unwind and let go of stress.
ProcrastinationDo you tend to put things off until the last minute? Are you more likely to pull an all-nighter than you are to spend a couple of hours studying at the library every day? If so, it should be no surprise that you're reading articles about how to manage test anxiety. Procrastinators have more trouble with severe test anxiety than people who study regularly over time.
Here's the hard truth - to shake test anxiety, you need to stop procrastinating now. Here are some tips:
Set a timer. One of the best ways to beat procrastination is to head into your kitchen or use your cell phone and set a timer for 15 minutes. Then go! Make yourself study until the timer goes off, with no other activities allowed. It's only 15 minutes - we all can do anything for that long, right?
Use a calendar. Pull out your day planner or cell phone calendar and make a schedule for yourself. If you have several weeks before the exam, plan to study for a reasonable timeframe every weekday. Then keep that appointment as you would an important meeting at work or with the doctor.
Start the day with a list. Have you ever climbed into bed at night, wondering where the day went when so many tasks remained undone? Right before bed is the perfect time to make a list of what you need to do the next day. Consult your calendar, especially if you have been using it to plan study times. Then put the list in a place where you'll see it. When you wake up in the morning, you'll know exactly what needs to be done.
InsomniaIs test anxiety keeping you up at night? Insomnia is a common symptom of test anxiety that can be particularly disturbing. Adequate rest is essential to studying and good test performance, and lack of sleep interferes with concentration and memory.
If test anxiety is getting in the way of a good night's rest, try these tips:
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine. If you have young children, then you know the importance of a bedtime routine - little ones often wind down better after a predictable sequence of relaxing events like a bath, reading a good story, and a nighttime prayer and/or snuggle time with their parents. While we don't often recognize it, as adults we can still benefit from a relaxing routine before bed. Try a warm shower, a bubble bath, a nice mug of herbal tea, a good book, or quiet conversation with your spouse.
Make the bedroom a study-free zone. While it's a good idea to review your study notes before bed, you should probably do so in the living room or office. Studying in bed will make it more difficult for your brain to switch into "sleep mode" once you turn out the lights.
Keep a notepad on your nightstand. Let's face it - we often remember a thousand things to do once our heads hit the pillow. When this happens, turn the light back on and write everything out on a notepad that you keep near the bed. Decide to confront that list in the morning, and then turn off the lights again.
Practice deep breathing. In our fast-paced Western culture, we've forgotten the value of deep, focused breathing. When you inhale deeply, your stomach should rise slightly. If your chest rises instead of your stomach, you need to breathe more deeply from your diaphragm. Inhale as you slowly count to five, and exhale for the same amount of time. As you exhale, imagine all the stress melting into the floor. Do this several times.
From TestPrep.com
It's normal to feel a little nervous before an important test. But if you chronically have uncomfortable symptoms before a test, then you might have test anxiety. Test anxiety affects many people of all ages and intelligence, and its symptoms are rooted in your biological "fight or flight" response. For whatever reason, your mind likely perceives an upcoming exam as a threat, and then initiates a cascade of hormones that prepare the body for quick action in the face of this threat.
To see if you have test anxiety, look over the following checklist and make a note of which ones ring true for you:
- Worrying about the test distracts me from studying.
- I can't sleep well when a big test is coming up.
- I don't ever feel ready for a test, even if I study a lot.
- I can't relax physically before a test.
- I "freeze" when taking tests: I can't think and forget things I already know.
- My stomach becomes upset before important tests.
- I have negative thoughts while taking tests.
- My muscles become very tense when I take a test.
- I often have panicky feelings when I have to take a test.
Symptoms
Let's say that you have a big exam coming up. Think about the test date in your mind - picture yourself in front of those questions at the testing center. How do you feel? Are you excited, ready to ace the exam and move into the next chapter of your career? Or do you feel an impending sense of dread, with your stomach tied in knots, anxious for the test to be over so you can relax?
If you fall into the latter group, you're not alone. Test anxiety affects many people of all ages and intelligence, and its symptoms are rooted in your biological "fight or flight" response. For whatever reason, your mind likely perceives an upcoming exam as a threat and then initiates a cascade of hormones that prepare the body for quick action in the face of this threat. But with a little training, you can learn to harness the "fight or flight" symptoms to your advantage.
Let's look at the symptoms of test anxiety:
Increased heart rate. This is one of the first symptoms to appear. Even thinking about the test may cause your pulse to quicken involuntarily. For some people this is uncomfortable because they don't feel in control of themselves, and they fear that this lack of control will affect their test performance. But an increased heart rate is actually a good thing in some ways because it gets blood to your brain and helps you think quickly.
Fast, shallow breathing. Another symptom of the "fight or flight" response, fast and shallow breathing, is something you will need to counteract, because your brain needs oxygen to concentrate. Try to take several deep breaths periodically, and make a point of inhaling and exhaling as long as possible.
Dry mouth. The adrenaline that causes you to feel jittery before a test will also dry out your mouth. Keep a bottle of water handy and take sips as needed.
Nausea and other gastrointestinal issues. Since childhood, nervousness of any kind affects our digestive system. If you have test anxiety, you may feel nausea, have stomach cramps, or experience diarrhea. Before an exam, try to avoid excessive amounts of caffeine, and make sure to eat light, healthy meals like toast and fruit or a bowl of cereal. Stay away from fatty or heavy meals, but don't try to test on an empty stomach, either.
When Anxiety Upsets Your StomachFor people who suffer from test anxiety, what begins as butterflies-in-the-stomach often evolves into an uncomfortable and disturbing array of digestive symptoms including nausea, gas, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach pain. If test anxiety causes you to spend more time running toward the bathroom than getting ready for the test, here's what you need to know:
Stay away from alcohol. At first, a glass or two of wine or some other type of alcohol may seem like a good idea. As a depressant, alcohol will momentarily calm your nerves. But it can also aggravate your digestive process and cause you to feel less "balanced" once its effect wears off.
Avoid excess caffeine. If you need a morning cup of coffee to get going, don't worry - one small cup of coffee won't send you over the edge. However, too much caffeine can interfere with your concentration (making you more jittery) and send your digestive symptoms into overdrive. If you have a history of test anxiety, the morning of the test is not the time to load up on your favorite caffeinated drink.
Consider an antacid. A nervous stomach produces too much acid, causing that "sour stomach" feeling. An over-the-counter antacid may relieve the discomfort, and may also help to reduce gas and bloating. Make sure to check with your physician before taking antacids regularly, especially if you take other prescription medications. Antacids can interact with certain vitamins and prescription drugs.
Brew some tea. Herbal tea, that is. Herbs like peppermint, chamomile, ginger, and licorice have been shown to reduce indigestion and have a calming effect. While the tea itself can be helpful, you will find the most benefit if you adopt your own anti-anxiety tea-drinking ritual. As the tea brews, turn your mind toward positive thoughts about the test. Picture yourself taking the test calmly and successfully. Perhaps you might want to sit down with your tea in a favorite chair and read a good book or do some other quiet activity that you enjoy. You may find that this tea-drinking ritual becomes a regular way to unwind and let go of stress.
ProcrastinationDo you tend to put things off until the last minute? Are you more likely to pull an all-nighter than you are to spend a couple of hours studying at the library every day? If so, it should be no surprise that you're reading articles about how to manage test anxiety. Procrastinators have more trouble with severe test anxiety than people who study regularly over time.
Here's the hard truth - to shake test anxiety, you need to stop procrastinating now. Here are some tips:
Set a timer. One of the best ways to beat procrastination is to head into your kitchen or use your cell phone and set a timer for 15 minutes. Then go! Make yourself study until the timer goes off, with no other activities allowed. It's only 15 minutes - we all can do anything for that long, right?
Use a calendar. Pull out your day planner or cell phone calendar and make a schedule for yourself. If you have several weeks before the exam, plan to study for a reasonable timeframe every weekday. Then keep that appointment as you would an important meeting at work or with the doctor.
Start the day with a list. Have you ever climbed into bed at night, wondering where the day went when so many tasks remained undone? Right before bed is the perfect time to make a list of what you need to do the next day. Consult your calendar, especially if you have been using it to plan study times. Then put the list in a place where you'll see it. When you wake up in the morning, you'll know exactly what needs to be done.
InsomniaIs test anxiety keeping you up at night? Insomnia is a common symptom of test anxiety that can be particularly disturbing. Adequate rest is essential to studying and good test performance, and lack of sleep interferes with concentration and memory.
If test anxiety is getting in the way of a good night's rest, try these tips:
Establish a relaxing bedtime routine. If you have young children, then you know the importance of a bedtime routine - little ones often wind down better after a predictable sequence of relaxing events like a bath, reading a good story, and a nighttime prayer and/or snuggle time with their parents. While we don't often recognize it, as adults we can still benefit from a relaxing routine before bed. Try a warm shower, a bubble bath, a nice mug of herbal tea, a good book, or quiet conversation with your spouse.
Make the bedroom a study-free zone. While it's a good idea to review your study notes before bed, you should probably do so in the living room or office. Studying in bed will make it more difficult for your brain to switch into "sleep mode" once you turn out the lights.
Keep a notepad on your nightstand. Let's face it - we often remember a thousand things to do once our heads hit the pillow. When this happens, turn the light back on and write everything out on a notepad that you keep near the bed. Decide to confront that list in the morning, and then turn off the lights again.
Practice deep breathing. In our fast-paced Western culture, we've forgotten the value of deep, focused breathing. When you inhale deeply, your stomach should rise slightly. If your chest rises instead of your stomach, you need to breathe more deeply from your diaphragm. Inhale as you slowly count to five, and exhale for the same amount of time. As you exhale, imagine all the stress melting into the floor. Do this several times.
From TestPrep.com
