Understanding and Helping to Overcome Exam Anxiety

David Putwain is Professor of Education at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. His research interests focus on the motivations and emotions that arise in achievement settings and how these impact, and are in turn impacted by, achievement, well-being, and mental health. David has been researching test and exam anxiety for over 20 years.

"There is a great deal of attention currently being given to issues relating to mental health and stress in young people. Do not make the mistake of thinking that this book is just another contribution to a cluttered sector of anecdotes, catastrophizing and quick fixes. David Putwain’s contribution is learned, whilst also being an accessible and interesting read. More importantly it is an evidence based, rational and thoughtful contribution from an academic with a substantial background in the area. It explores the definitions, prevalence, and impact of high exam stress, and then shows how this issue can be managed to improve the experience and outcomes of this group of students. An example of an area that most will find interesting is dealing with the often-cited belief that ‘a little bit of stress is a good thing’, whilst not denying some partial truth in this notion the author explores it in revealing ways and then goes on to show what this means for classroom practice. An accessible academic book that explores a very topical misunderstood and misrepresented area, that also gives practical suggestions for applying the findings, this is well worth reading and seeing what gains you can take from it. As the leader of an outstanding Sixth Form College that has been at the forefront of adopting lessons from cognitive science for many years, I found this book to be thought provoking and will take lessons learnt from it to inform some of our future teaching and curriculum developments."Mike Kilbride, Principal, Birkenhead 6th Form College, and CEO BePART Trust"Whilst taking exams may be a part of life, experiencing exam anxiety doesn't need to be! Drawing on theory and research, this authoritative book provides plenty of practical suggestions for identifying and supporting students with exam anxiety. A must-read for anyone working with students anxious about exams."Wendy Symes, Research Fellow, University of HamburgThe book is structured into seven clear, well-signposted chapters, each beginning with helpful subheadings and ending with a concise conclusion, particularly useful after the more detailed research sections. It moves logically from defining exam anxiety and identifying who experiences it, through its effects and links to mental health, to exploring causes, offering practical strategies, and finally reflecting on the impact of educational policy. I was particularly impressed with the book's concise writing style, as it made the content easy to understand, with recommendations I can easily use with my students. Overall, this book is an excellent go-to guide for all things related to exam anxiety. I highly recommend that you read it!'Lynsey Hayes, Psychology Teacher, Westminster Tutors, Independent Sixth Form College, UK

• 1. What Is Exam Anxiety (and What Is It Not)? 2. How Prevalent Is Exam Anxiety? 3. What Are the Consequences of High Exam Anxiety for Educational Achievement? 4. How Does Exam Anxiety Relate to Mental Health and Well-Being? 5. How Does Exam Anxiety Arise: Where Does It Come From? 6. Interventions for Exam Anxiety: What Can Be Done About It 7. Educational Policy: What Does the Future Hold?