Page 60 - November 2019 FOP

An article from a Lodge 7 Magazine Sponsor
Understanding and reducing test anxiety
If you ask most cops, they will tell you that they would be more comfortable in a chase, fight or shootout than in a test situation.
I vividly remember my own test history. I had to take the entry exam to become a po- lice officer. Like many of you, I had to pass a series of police academy tests to graduate.
Test Prep
ous threat to a candidate’s preparation and performance on the exam.
Test anxiety can manifest itself in psychological ways, such as “blanking,” having difficulty concentrating and experiencing negative thoughts.
There are also physical manifestations, including nau- sea, headache, excessive sweating and muscle tension. Candidates can attempt to reduce the effects of test anxi-
Then, I took a sergeant’s written and oral as- sessment test. I remember my fear of the unknown, fear of failure and fear of an assessment test. It scared the crap out of my whole squad, as we didn’t know what to expect.
Well, I survived, and so will you. Let’s see if I can make it a little less painful for you.
The Civil Service Commission recently put some suggestions together for how to reduce test anxiety. I have included these, along with some of my own.
Test anxiety is a condition in which a person experiences wor- ry or distress before, during or after a test or other assignment to such an extent that it causes poor performance or interferes with normal learning.
Because of its effects on performance, it is important that candidates recognize the potential symptoms of test anxiety and take steps to reduce it.
It is normal for any candidate taking an exam to feel a certain degree of nervousness. However, true test anxiety can be a seri-
ety and increase their chances of maximizing their performance on the exam by focusing on three steps: be prepared, get orga- nized and practice.
1. Be prepared. Preparation begins with recognizing and confronting negative thoughts you may have about your past exam performance and your chances for scoring well on the upcoming police promotional exam. Negative thoughts can influence your preparation for the exam by affecting your study habits, breaking your concentration and causing you to second-guess your abilities. By re- viewing the right study materials and attending the right study group, you’re well on your way to being prepared. Your confidence will go up, and negative thoughts will be reduced or eliminated.
2. Get organized. Being organized in your study habits is the next step in reducing test anxiety and increasing your performance on the exam. After you have determined, from the information available to you, the topics to be covered on the exam, you need to honestly assess the ar- eas in which you are strong and those that require more attention. You may find it helpful to create a study plan or schedule that defines what you will need to study, the resources you’ll need to compile and the amount of time you’ll spend on each topic.
3. Practice. The final step in reducing test anxiety is to prac- tice. While it is not possible to fully replicate the condi- tions you will encounter during the exam administration, there are strategies you can use to simulate the skills you will need during the exam. For instance, during a multi- ple-choice exam, you may be sitting at a desk for several hours. To prepare for this, it may help to block out a simi- lar amount of uninterrupted time while you are studying. This can help you experience what it will be like to have to focus attention for that period of time. Additionally, tak- ing practice tests under exam conditions will also greatly help reduce test anxiety.
Finally, if your test anxiety is extreme, consider visiting your physician to discuss medical options with him or her. You should also contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for some relaxation exercises.
When I prepared for my police sergeant assessment test, I ac- tually did all three things that the Civil Service Commission pro- posed.
Although I did it differently, I prepared, got organized and practiced extensively. By doing those three things, I beat every- body. When all was said and done, I came out No. 1 in the oral assessment test.
You can do it too, if you try hard enough.
To submit questions, email info@bernsteintestprep.com. You can also watch a video that explains the CPD promotional exams. Vis- it our site at www.bernsteintestprep.com or call 954-252-0010.
ASK DR. JEFF BERNSTEIN
60 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ NOVEMBER 2019