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Many children suffer from test anxiety. Children may suffer an anxiety attack during a test, but many kids will begin to have symptoms days before as they anticipate test day.

Follow up:

Test anxiety is unpleasant, but for most people it is controllable. Typically, test anxiety involves a variety of physical or emotional responses. Some kids fear the moment when their brains "go blank," thoughts begin racing through their minds and the answers to the test questions are elusive. Others experience headaches, gastrointestinal problems or significant sweating. In extreme cases, children can hyperventilate and feel faint. Emotional stress can result in crying, feeling irritable or being easily frustrated.

In many cases, the child's self-esteem is impacted causing misperceptions around one's cognitive abilities. Eventually, these children question their abilities and often express self-doubt. "I'm not smart." "I can't learn." "This is too hard." It is easy to understand how self-defeating this is and can, in severe cases, lead to depression.

There are things a parent can to to help decrease test anxiety. Throughout the year, encourage your child to practice good study habits. Teach organizational skills. Encourage your child to talk with you about things going on in their lives. Model appropriate responses to life stress. Maintain open communication with your child's teachers.