Causes and Effects of Test Anxiety in the IELTS

Countless exam takers experience test anxiety every day. From primary school students who are taking another pop quiz to university graduates who are facing an important professional examination, almost everyone who has ever taken an exam has experienced this performance anxiety to a certain degree.

Test anxiety often manifests before or during an examination caused by inadequate preparation and fear of failure. It can cause physical, psychological and mental difficulties that can negatively affect an individual’s exam performance.

Preparation is the most effective way to prevent test anxiety. As an IELTS examinee, you can prepare for the test by self-studying or by enrolling in a review program. While the former is certainly cheaper and more convenient, the latter can provide more definite results.

If you prefer to study in a classroom setting, go for an IELTS training facility. But if you respond better to one-on-one coaching, consider attending an IELTS online course. This review program is accessible anywhere provided that you have a stable Internet connection. IELTS online course instructors can also focus on your study progress and provide personalized lessons to help you improve.

Do not take test anxiety lightly. According to a study by Miranda Shahini and Anisa Trifoni, the time limitation, the number of exam items and the level of difficulty of the exam also fuel this psychological disorder. IELTS test takers are extremely vulnerable to this condition given the pressure and time constraints of the exam.

To give you an informative glimpse, here are some of the probable causes of test anxiety and their possible effects in each IELTS exam component:

Listening Exam

Reading Exam

Writing Exam

Speaking Exam

All in all, it boils down to your confidence in your exam preparations. Test anxiety in the IELTS exam is mostly caused by the pressure to finish everything within the set time limit. If you were unable to prepare for the test, then you might have trouble adjusting to its expectations.

Do not let the pressure get to you. One of the best ways to prepare for the test is by enrolling in a training program such as IELTS online courses. These review facilities can help you combat this performance anxiety by providing mock exams, proficiency assessments and helpful tips. Adapting to the demands of the IELTS exam beforehand can significantly decrease test anxiety.