Overcoming test anxiety

Abstract

In student counseling at the universities, test anxiety is a frequent issue. In this article, following a phenomenological description of test anxiety, it will be demonstrated that, in addition to being a clinically relevant disorder, test anxiety can also represent an adequate response to the given situation. With reference to the model of test anxiety postulated by Fehm & Fydrich, the authors counseling process using two exemplary case studies, thereby providing insight into four therapeutic techniques utilized in their practice (psychodrama, tapping acupressure, the Zurich Resource Model, as well as working with the «inner team»). The authors demonstrated that, that in addition to predisposition and triggers, factors inherent in the test situation itself can contribute to a realistic degree of test anxiety and offer preliminary considerations for developing examination conditions at universities which contribute to learning.

Key words: test anxiety, case study of counseling in test anxiety, etiology of test anxiety, psychodrama, tapping acupressure, Zuruch Resource Model, the «inner team», learning­friendly conditions at universities.