Name two evidence-based strategies for reducing test anxiety.

• A. Structured practice with low-stakes testing and controlled breathing.
• B. Cramming the night before exams.
• C. Avoiding all study activities.
• D. Ignoring feedback from instructors.

Answer: (A)

Reducing test anxiety comes from addressing both how you prepare and how your body responds to stress. Structured practice with low-stakes testing helps you build memory and retrieval skills without the pressure of a high-stakes exam. Regular, spaced practice makes the material feel familiar, reduces fear of the unknown, and boosts confidence when you face the real test. Pairing that with controlled breathing gives your body a practical tool to calm the nervous system. Slow, diaphragmatic breathing lowers heart rate and muscle tension, quiets racing thoughts, and helps you think more clearly during the test. Together, these approaches support steady performance by strengthening knowledge and dampening physiological arousal. Cramming tends to raise anxiety and fatigue, avoiding study leaves you underprepared, and ignoring feedback blocks progress and heightens uncertainty.