Teaching Students to Harness Their Anxiety and Maintain Well-Being in the Period Leading to and During Important Exams

Abstract

Standard-based tests are a common form of final assessment in secondary education worldwide, but they pose many challenges for students. They require not only academic competence, but also mental resilience, which is rarely instructed in school. This chapter argues for the inclusion of strong mental training during revision. for this, it will review the history and rationale of standard-based assessments, and how they relate to the political and social aspects of different countries. It will also examine the controversies and criticisms of this form of evaluation, and how it affects the students' emotions and perspectives. The chapter will then suggest some practical strategies that teachers can use in the classroom to foster a holistic approach to learning. These strategies include mindfulness exercises, collaboration activities, feedback mechanisms, and the facilitation of healthy habits.