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The nervousness or fear before (and during) exams that can interfere with your performance. If your heart races, your stomach feels like butterflies or knots, or your mind goes blank when you sit down for a test, you might be experiencing test anxiety. A bit of nervous energy before a test is normal and can even sharpen your focus, but too much anxiety can make it hard to recall information you actually know or to think clearly. Combating test anxiety involves being well-prepared and managing stress: try studying in advance (so you feel confident in the material), practicing deep breathing or positive self-talk to stay calm, and maybe developing pre-test routines (like listening to a calming playlist, doing a quick stretch, or using a lucky charm) to put your mind at ease. Over time, as you gain testing experience and coping strategies, those jittery feelings can become much more manageable.

Keywords: test anxiety, exam stress, overcome test nerves