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| Barriers to Test Performance |
 “What am I telling myself that is making it harder for me to perform well on this test?”
Start constructing positive self-statements to replace counter-productive, negative self-talk. Try to use affirming statements while you study and when taking tests. It is a good idea to remind yourself of past successes, how well you’ve prepared, and your knowledge of the material. Imagine that you do well on the exam; most importantly, visualize yourself doing your best! Keep in mind, an exam grade represents only your performance on the particular test, not your overall knowledge.
Preparation Barriers to Test Performance
It is possible that you aren’t experiencing the kind of symptoms mentioned in the first two sections. No matter how physiologically calm you are, no matter how cognitively clear and confident you are, you aren’t very likely to do well on a test for which you didn’t spend the time to  prepare. Keep in mind this old saying:
“Aim at nothing and you will hit the target every time.”
Test preparation is aiming to do well. One important strategy to help you improve your aim is to stimulate actual testing conditions while you study. For instance, if you will be doing 10 math problems in 50 minutes, do that as a dress rehearsal—time yourself, work with out reference to your notes or text. Discover how to work smart and fast before the actual exam. Your rehearsal will help you target areas that you need to focus on and will confirm what you know.
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