Guide | Testing with stress – what happens in the brain?

“The impact of stress on concentration, memory and thinking skills.”

The impact of stress on concentration, memory and thinking skills, and how it can affect performance even in well-prepared students.

What does the handbook offer?

The handbook provides you with tools to help students cope with stress and improve their performance, both through practical and psychological support.

Who is it intended for?

The handbook is for education professionals, such as teachers, exam coordinators and student supervisors, who support students with tests and exams.

How does stress affect the brain during a test?

While many students experience some degree of stress during tests, there are some students for whom stress is truly limiting. For example, for students with trauma, severe fear of failure or other forms of anxiety or compulsive disorders, there can be a severe degree of stress during testing. For these students, stress can have a major impact on how they perform during tests. Even well-prepared students may struggle to recall knowledge and reason logically. Read how this works below.

Reduced thinking function

The part of the brain responsible for rational thinking and problem solving works less well under high levels of stress. This can lead to blackouts, difficulty reasoning and problems retrieving knowledge.

Overwhelming emotions

Under a high level of stress, the brain reacts more strongly to anxiety and panic, which can cause students to shut down, block or panic.

Reduced concentration

Stress hormones can affect focus and memory, making students more distracted and having more difficulty understanding questions.

Limited working memory

Working memory is needed to store and process information briefly. Under high levels of stress, its capacity decreases, making it difficult for students to answer complex questions.

Stress can negatively affect performance even if a student knows the material. Blackouts and concentration problems can be explained neurologically and are not a matter of “nerves. The test format and conditions play a crucial role.

Keys included

Test format and conditions play an important role in the extent to which students are limited by stress. Sometimes it is possible to offer students choices in the test format (for example, the choice of being able to submit a test or part of a test orally or in writing). Where that is not possible, it is relevant to look at the test conditions. Consider, for example, taking a break, avoiding loud noises and the like.

How do you support with exam stress?

Exam stress is a common and normal phenomenon, but it can sometimes be overwhelming for students. As a professional, you can support them by providing practical tools to help them manage stress and go into their exams with confidence. Below are some practical tips to guide students through this stressful period.

Practical support

Normalize stress

Tell students that excitement before an exam is perfectly normal. Discuss that everyone experiences it in their own way and that sometimes it can even help them to be sharp.

Discuss expectations

Have students name their expectations and goals. Are these realistic? Encourage them to formulate achievable steps, rather than trying to do everything perfectly.

Help with planning

A lot of stress comes from feeling out of control. Help students create a realistic schedule, including breaks, repetition and relaxation.

Offer practice opportunities

Provide opportunities to practice exam questions or situations (e.g., under time pressure). In this way, uncertainty decreases and confidence grows.

Watch for signals

Do you notice a student blocking, crying, withdrawing or just working excessively hard? That may be a sign of excessive stress. Ask how things are going – sometimes that’s enough.

Psychological and mental support

Encourage positive self-talk

Teach students to recognize their inner critic. Help them turn it into helpful thoughts: “I’m preparing the best I can” instead of “I’m going to screw up.”

Introduce relaxation techniques

Consider breathing exercises, mindfulness, or even a short walk before or after studying. Offer any tools or apps that help with this (such as Headspace or breathing exercises on YouTube).

Be a rest yourself

When you are calm, approachable and positive, it works on your students. You are an important source of support, even when you don’t have all the answers.

Let students help each other

Organize a stress-free study café, planning groups or a “learning together = chilling together” moment. Peer support can work wonders.

Getting started!

This information can also be downloaded as an infosheet.