What strategies do you think I use to overcome math anxiety and build confidence in students who struggle with test-taking?

Question

How can personalized teaching methods help students overcome math anxiety and improve both their understanding and performance on high-stakes tests like the SAT and NWEA? What are some key strategies you’ve found most effective in building confidence in students who typically struggle with math or test-taking?

Answer 1

I've taken many "high stakes" exams, and I know that super-stressed feeling going into a test. My initial strategy (especially if I have some scratch paper and a pencil) is to quickly jot down any important formulas that I might need from my memory. Then, if I am really feeling the anxiety, I'll solve a couple of simple equations and move up in difficulty. You must always be actively working. That is key. You cannot just sit there trying to think and burn through your precious clock time. Keep moving, jotting down notes, formulas, simple problems, more complex problems, etc. If you do, you will work your way out of the stress at some point. You will feel it let go and then you will be able to think freely. It is more of a confidence issue than anything else. As you put pencil to paper, and solve a couple of simple problems, you will gain confidence and the more confidence you have, the less anxiety will be present. Remember that confidence chokes off anxiety. There is no room for both. Drive that anxiety away. Stay proactive during those exams. Be extremely well-prepared going in and do not stop working or going over your answers until the test proctor makes you turn it in or else suffer the consequences...