"Peak Learning has been instrumental in their impact on my son’s readiness for the ACT and SAT. His scores have improved dramatically as well as his test taking abilities. The skills he has learned have also transferred over to his classroom work at East. He reads and understands test questions better in all subjects and his confidence overall in all academic areas has increased dramatically."

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"Thank you so much for your help. Big difference for this exam. So again thank you!"

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"Our son Ryan is a junior and has been working with a tutor at Peak Learning in Chemistry this semester. Ryan missed a lot of classes at the beginning of this semester due to illnesses and fell behind in Chemistry. He was overwhelmed by the prospect of getting caught up while keeping up with the ongoing lessons. Working with his tutor really saved his semester. I don't think he would have been able to catch up and keep up with his class without his tutor's help."

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"Thanks for the great class! I enjoyed learning new material and I feel more at ease going into chemistry class."

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"Thanks so much for all of your help! Emily got a B in Chemistry and an A in Math. Hurray!"

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"Thanks for the tutoring. You helped a lot and I learned a lot!"

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"Kerrigan got an 81 on the chem final!!! Hurray!!! Thank you!! She is ecstatic, and we are so grateful for all your help!"

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"Our family has been very pleased with Peak Learning Solutions and we highly recommended this team to other families. Whether your child needs help in a particular subject area or needs to work on time management and organization skills at the high school level, Peak Learning is a wonderful resource."

-Kerry S. (parent)

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Understanding Test Anxiety and How to Manage It

By Steven Darby - March 4, 2025

Many students experience test anxiety—a mix of nervousness, worry, or fear that can arise before or during exams. While some level of stress can be motivating, excessive anxiety can negatively impact performance. At Peak Learning Solutions, we work with students to develop strategies that help them manage test anxiety and perform at their best. In this post, we’ll explore what test anxiety is, its symptoms, and how to overcome it with practical techniques.

What is Test Anxiety?

Test anxiety is a psychological response to testing situations, often triggered by fear of failure, high expectations, or past negative experiences. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step to managing them effectively.

Common Symptoms of Test Anxiety

Physical: Sweating, shaking, headaches, nausea, or stomach pain.
Emotional: Feelings of fear, frustration, helplessness, or even panic.
Mental: Difficulty concentrating, racing thoughts, or forgetting material.

By identifying these symptoms early, students can take proactive steps to reduce anxiety and regain control.

Breathing Exercises to Stay Calm

Controlled breathing techniques can help manage the physical symptoms of anxiety by signaling the body to relax. Here are two effective methods:

4-7-8 Breathing Technique

Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4.
Hold your breath for a count of 7.
Exhale completely through your mouth for a count of 8.
Repeat this cycle 3–4 times, focusing on each breath.

Box Breathing Technique

Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4.
Hold your breath for a count of 4.
Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 4.
Hold your breath again for a count of 4 before starting the next inhale.
Repeat for 3–5 minutes.

These exercises can be done before or during an exam to reduce stress and improve focus.

Visualization Techniques for Confidence

Visualization is a powerful tool that can help reframe your mindset and build confidence before a test.

Visualizing Success

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
Picture yourself calmly answering questions, feeling focused and prepared.
Imagine completing the test with a sense of confidence and achievement.

Reframing Your Mindset

Think of the test as an opportunity to showcase your knowledge rather than something to fear.
Remind yourself of past successes and the effort you’ve put into studying.
Replace negative thoughts ("I’m going to fail") with positive affirmations ("I am prepared and capable").

Building a Strong Test Preparation Routine

In addition to managing anxiety, proper test preparation plays a crucial role in boosting confidence and performance. At Peak Learning Solutions, we help students develop effective study habits, time management skills, and test-taking strategies to reduce stress and maximize results.

Take Control of Test Anxiety with Peak Learning Solutions

Understanding and managing test anxiety can transform a student’s academic experience. Through personalized coaching, we provide students with the tools to stay calm, focused, and confident during exams.

If your student struggles with test anxiety, we can help! Contact Peak Learning Solutions today at 720-737-9221 or visit www.peaklearningsolutions.com to learn more about our personalized academic coaching services. Conveniently located at 6143 S Willow Dr, Greenwood Village, Colorado, we proudly support students from Heritage High School, Arapahoe High School, Regis Jesuit High School, Greenwood Village High School, and beyond.

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