I'm Good at Writing Papers But Not Taking Tests
You're a wordsmith, crafting eloquent essays with ease. Yet, when faced with a multiple-choice exam, your mind goes blank.
Countless students excel at writing papers but struggle with tests. It's a peculiar academic paradox that leaves many scratching their heads.
If you're good at writing papers but not taking tests, you're not alone in this academic conundrum. The paradox of being good at writing papers but not taking tests is a widespread phenomenon in educational settings. This disparity often stems from cognitive differences, which can manifest in varying performance across different types of academic assessments.
Why does this happen? What causes this cognitive disconnect? And more importantly, how can you bridge the gap?
“I’m Good at Writing Papers But Not Taking Tests:” Common Reasons for Test-Taking Difficulties
To address the issue of being good at writing papers but not taking tests, it's crucial to first understand the underlying causes.
Test Anxiety
Test anxiety, a significant factor for those good at writing papers but not taking tests, is a complex psychological phenomenon that goes beyond pre-exam jitters. It's a form of performance anxiety that can significantly impact your cognitive function during tests. Symptoms can range from sweaty palms and rapid heartbeat to complete mental blocks and panic attacks.
The impact of anxiety on cognitive function during exams is substantial. When you're anxious, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, redirecting blood flow away from the brain and towards the muscles. This physiological response can impair your ability to recall information, think critically, and perform complex tasks – all essential skills for test-taking.
Information Recall Issues
Recognition memory is the ability to identify information when you see it, like in multiple-choice questions. Recall memory, on the other hand, requires you to retrieve information from your memory without any cues, which is typically needed for essay questions or short-answer tests.
Various academic assessment methods can yield different results, explaining why some students are good at writing papers but not taking tests. For instance, you might excel at multiple-choice tests but struggle with open-ended questions. Understanding your unique learning styles can help bridge the gap between being good at writing papers but not taking tests, as it influences how you process and retain information.
Implementing effective study strategies can help those who are good at writing papers but not taking tests to improve their overall academic performance. Methods like active recall and spaced repetition can help strengthen your ability to retrieve information when you need it most. However, it can be difficult when this isn’t a strategy that schools educate on or encourage!
Looking for specialized therapy for ADHD, anxiety, or something else? We’re happy to answer any of your questions.
Time Management Challenges
Poor time management during tests can be a major stumbling block. It often leads to incomplete tests, rushed answers, and unnecessary stress.
When you’re dealing with test anxiety, you might subconsciously spend too much time on difficult questions, second-guessing answers, and failing to allocate time properly across all sections of the test.
Strategies to Improve Test-Taking Skills
Now that we've identified some common challenges, let's focus on solutions. For those good at writing papers but not taking tests, it's important to recognize that test-taking skills aren’t only cultivated through dedicated practice and targeted techniques, but through outside work, like through therapy.
Active Recall and Spaced Recognition Study Techniques
Active recall and spaced repetition are powerful study techniques backed by cognitive science. Active recall involves testing yourself on the material rather than passively reviewing it. Spaced repetition involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time, which helps solidify long-term memory.
Creating study guides and summary sheets can “force” you to distill complex information into manageable chunks, enhancing your understanding and recall abilities.
Overall, understanding concepts is far more valuable than memorizing facts. When you truly grasp a concept, you can apply it to various scenarios, which is often what tests aim to assess.
Practice Tests and Timed Exercises
Practice tests are also great ways to improve your test performance. You’ll stimulate real exam conditions to help you become familiar with the pressure and time constraints you'll face.
Timed exercises are particularly beneficial for improving speed and accuracy. You may start by giving yourself more time than you'd have in a real test, then gradually reduce the time as you improve.
There are numerous resources available for finding practice tests in various subjects. Many textbooks include practice questions, and online platforms often offer free or low-cost practice exams.
After completing a practice test, don't just check your answers and move on. Analyze your mistakes carefully. Understanding why you got something wrong is often more valuable than getting it right in the first place!
Stress Reduction Methods
Managing stress is crucial for optimal test performance. This goes for managing stress outside of the classroom, too. Regular exercise, proper nutrition and sleep play a bigger role than you might think in maintaining overall health and cognitive function.
Of course, we know staying up late to study before the night of the test feels beneficial. But consider how it’s actually affecting your overall performance in the grand scheme of things. A well-rested brain is far more capable of recalling information and solving problems efficiently.
Addressing Test Anxiety
Cognitive Behavioral Techniques
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a powerful tool for managing test anxiety. At its core, CBT involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns that contribute to anxiety.
This is something we can go through if you choose to start therapy.
For example, if you find yourself thinking, "I always mess up on tests," challenge that thought. Is it really true that you always mess up? Or have there been times when you've done well? Replacing these negative thoughts with more realistic, positive ones can significantly reduce anxiety.
This is something you and one of our therapists can go through during our sessions. (You can book a free consultation here if you’re curious but have more questions before signing up).
Relaxation and Mindfulness Practices
Relaxation techniques can be powerful tools for reducing anxiety before and during exams. Progressive muscle relaxation, for instance, involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in your body. This can help release physical tension and promote a sense of calm.
A simple mindfulness technique is to focus on your breath, noticing the sensation of each inhale and exhale. When your mind wanders to anxious thoughts, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
Headspace is a great app that offers guided relaxation and mindfulness exercises.
When to Seek Accommodations
If you consistently struggle with tests despite implementing various strategies, it might be time to consider seeking accommodations.
Common types of accommodations for test-taking difficulties include:
⏰ Extended time
🤫 Quiet testing environments
👩💻 The use of assistive technologies
These accommodations are not meant to give you an unfair advantage, but to level the playing field and allow you to demonstrate your true abilities.
The process of requesting accommodations varies by institution, but generally involves contacting your school's disability services office. You'll typically need to provide documentation from a healthcare provider that outlines your specific challenges and recommended accommodations.
Make School Easier with Access Therapy
We offer tailored therapeutic sessions made to meet you where you’re at. We can help you address test anxiety, time management issues, and information recall difficulties. Asking for help is a sign of strength, and your academic future is worth investing in!
Book a free consultation today – we’re excited to help you through your scholastic journey (and beyond)!
