Numerical Reasoning Test > Numerical Reasoning Test Guide > Part 2: Focus, nerves and concentration
Part 2.3: Focus, nerves and concentration
For many of us the worse part of taking a numerical test is the waiting beforehand. The nerves and anxiety we can experience before the test session can spill into the early stages of the test itself, affecting your focus and concentration. You need to maintain maximum concentration during the test session in order to perform at your best. Nerves and anxiety must be minimised before they cause mistakes and a dip in performance.
Concentration tips
Here are some tips for combating nerves and building focus prior to the test session:
1. And breathe...
If you're feeling nervous then move your attention to your breathing. Ensure you are taking long, slow breaths and focus your mind on counting slowly down from 10 with each breath. Each time your mind wanders from breathing this countdown you should gently move the distracting thought to one side and begin the count again from 10. This focusing exercise reduces your stress levels and enables the parts of your mind devoted to concentration and reasoning to marshal its energies ready for the test itself.
2. Feel the fear and do it anyway
Sometimes our nerves and anxiety can cause distracting physical and mental symptoms of stress. A racing heart, sweaty palms and a mind full of chattering monkeys are common stress-related sensations, which make concentration and peak performance much harder to achieve. Rather than try to fight against these feelings you should use the 'acceptance and commitment technique' to move past them. Quiet your mind by moving around your body to notice, label and accept each of the stress related sensation you identify. Do not try to counteract them; simply acknowledge that they are there. Next you must work on your commitment; remind yourself of your objectives and then rehearse exactly what you are going to do when the test session begins. Acceptance and commitment technique helps you to feel the fear and do it anyway.
Ensuring that you are focused and calm will help you to employ the effective test-taking strategies during the test session itself that will give you the edge.
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- Guide contents
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1: What you're up against
1.1: About numerical tests
1.2: What maths you need
1.3: Critical reasoning
1.4: Top numerical tests -
2: Master test-taking
2.1: Test strategies
2.2: Prepare for your test
2.3: Focus & concentration
2.4: Effective test behaviours
2.5: Online v paper tests
2.6: Why not cheat? -
3: Develop numerical ability
3.1: Key numerical abilities
3.2: Improve your score
3.3: Where else to practice -
4: Your rights as a test-taker
4.1: Employers responsibility
4.2: Tests need adjusting?
4.3: When tests go badly
4.4: Test score outcomes
4.5: Test score feedback?
4.6: A final word
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