Exam Anxiety: Are You Scared?

This article written by Lavinia Levada and Carlotta Cavazzini treats terza media exams.

"We interviewed two students, Ginevra who takes an internal exam (h-assessment), and Viola who takes the standard Italian exam (external)." Even if we did intreviewed them, we are going to summarise what they said they felt .

1. How are you feeling about the upcoming end of year exams?

Viola Tomello: Viola is concerned about the approaching tests because of the unknowns regarding the questions and assessment standards. This experience is influenced also by teachers and parents putting pressure on her. Understanding the importance of what she is doing helps her be motivated and make the correct choices. 

Ginerva Hu: Ginevra is feeling nervous for the upcoming exam she will attend in approximately a month and is starting to think about what her assessment can include.

2. How are you managing your time and preparation for the exams, did you develop a schedule for revising?

Viola Tomello: Viola did struggle to focus and prioritise her work since she doesn't have a study plan. Without a defined strategy the time management can vary and confuse her ideas.

Ginerva Hu: She doesn't have a precise, well organised, schedule so the solution would be to encourage her to consider creating a study plan to improve her academic performance.

3. Have you identified your strengths and weaknesses?

Viola Tomello: Prefers Science, Design and Technology, and Italian, with moderate skills in Mathematics and English. Enjoys engaging in physical activities and exercising memories through conversation.

Ginerva Hu: Skilled in music, English, art, and history, this means she excels in creative and humanities-based subjects. However, she struggles with Spanish, PE, and maths. Her communication skills are average, with space for improvements.

4. Do you suggest any strategies or resources that you have found helpful in managing exam anxiety?

Viola Tomello: When dealing with exam anxiety, online research can provide valuable strategies for managing stress during exams.

Ginerva Hu: Ginevra doesn't ask for help while studying or researching, instead she prefers being independent although a hand from her parents or internet is always valuable.

5. Are you able to balance your studying with other personal hobbies?

Viola Tomello: She's involved in volleyball and skiing. She can balance sports with studying and shows dedication. When she has volleyball she studies before, when skiing after.

Ginerva Hu: Her hobbies are singing and playing the guitar, two difficult specialities, but she doesn't have problems managing them. Her trick is to study before so she will not get distracted and has the studying out of the way in order to relax afterwards.

6. Are there any specific goals or expectations you have for your performance on the exams?

Viola Tomello: She doesn't really expect anything but she hopes to get a good grade, around 8, at least to enter into the exam. She's optimistic about the final result of the upcoming exams.

Ginerva Hu: She wishes to excel in Italian and Maths in order to make her parents proud but mostly be proud of herself. In contrast, for the English exam she isn't worried due to the fact that it's a subject she enjoys and finally for the oral presentation she is a bit confused on what to say and how to perform.