Unable to get over TEAS test anxiety

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Specializes in none.

Hello all,

I've been waiting 2 1/2yrs in a lottery to be accepted to a 2yr RN program in CA. As of a year ago I was informed I needed to take and pass a "TEAS" exam once i was accepted. I was finally excepted in September and have studied ever day since. I have the ATI study manual and have taken the online practice test (w/ decent results 96% overall). My 1st test was on Nov. 27th and I had to leave w/ a massive panic attack right before we were to sign in. It was everything I could do not to vomit in front of the rest of the students. Needless to say, I get really bad test anxiety, to the point where my mind freezes and I can't think. I have one more chance to take it: Nov 3rd (2days away) or I forfeit my place in the lottery and have to reapply. I know the material very well and I have a 4.0 GPA. Every time I think about this "TEAS" test, I work myself up into a state of high anxiety. I tried asking my school if I can have special accommodations, like an untimed and/or taking it privately. They told me because I have never used these types of services in the past, it was unlikely they would grant them now. I have tried simulating testing conditions and do well, but when I tried to take the real thing, I Lost it before i even logged in. Idk what to do. Prescribed sedatives for test anxiety impair my cognition. Man, i've worked so hard for this and I think i've placed so much importance on nursing school that I panic even more than normal timed/ long tests. I have a perfect GPA. Why should I have to prove myself again? This seems like such BS, but these institutions make the rules and apparently, they are subject to change. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :cry:

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

Trust me you know the material well enough that you will be fine. You have a choice take it or lose your spot.

If you are allowed scratch paper and its a multiple choice mark down ABCD and go through the options when you eliminate a choice put a - mark a maybe ? and a yes + That helps me visually work through the exam and reassure myself I made the right choice

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Specializes in none.

Thanks for the help. I just took a deep breath (actually quite a few) and answered each question, narrowing answers. I thought I failed but to my suprise, I PASSED!!!! 85.3%!!! All that was required was 67%. Woot! I start the NP in spring. :yeah:

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Congrats!!! Good luck in your program.

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Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

See. All you need to do was break it down and think about the answers critically and you nailed it. Good job. You've learned a valuable tool that will help you in the future. Work through the anxiety

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Congratulations reb77!

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Congrats...I used to have bad test anxiety and I had to deal with it in my own way! Good luck in nursing school.

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Congratulations! I wish you well. Now that you've done this test without failing, next time you have to take a test (and there will be lots of tests in nursing school) you can tell yourself "I Know that I know the information, I just have to tell them that I know it" Go into your tests KNOWING you are going to pass because you KNOW The information! Remember, they probably aren't trying to trick you, they just have to find out what you know.

I wish you well !

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Hi rebb77,

Congratulations!!! Finally you can relax, you over this anxiety. Good luckin your NP

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I know exactly how you feel. I once got such bad test anxiety in an A and P class, that I completely blanked on EVERYTHING. I ended up getting a D on that exam. In the end I got an A in the class though. What has helped me is listening to relaxing music right before the exam, NOT drinking caffeine, taking deep breaths right before the exam, and just trying to stay positive in my thinking. I freaked out when I took the TEAS exam too, but ended up doing just fine. I know it's easier said then done, but try anything to stay calm... Once you let the fear in, its over : 0

kind of late, being that I just noticed you already passed, but good luck anyway!

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I am working on developing a program for test anxiety for nursing students. Any ideas about what would help you the most? What is the most difficult aspect of your test anxiety?

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