The Impact of Mindset Education on Exams and Assessment
When it comes to school tests and exams, much attention is given to content recall, application, and time management skills. These techniques are vital for assessing a student's understanding within a set timeframe. However, if the objective is to evaluate a student’s ability to recall information under the ticking of a clock, aren't we essentially testing the mind's ability to perform under pressure?
Developing skills to manage the mind, direct focus and attention, and increase clarity to retrieve relevant information at the right time are essential areas of education that are often overlooked. Every student receives varying degrees of mindset education throughout their lives, delivered through parents, coaches, teachers, friends, and relatives. Activities like playing sports, performing on stage, debating, and assuming responsibilities also contribute to this training. The more the mind is tested, the more mental tactics and skills are learned and honed, however this doesn’t mean all that is learnt it helpful.
When we focus on a thought, goal, or fear, we continually replay this idea in our minds, strengthening it. This causes our reticular activation system (RAS) to search for things in our life that reinforce it. For example, if a student worries about becoming confused and forgetting information during an exam, they are likely to find ways to become confused and forgetful. Conversely, if a student feels confident that they know the answers and can problem-solve if they don’t, they will enter the exam feeling confident and in control.
Much of this way of thinking occurs in our subconscious mind, where beliefs are held and thoughts circulate freely. This is also where our fundamental beliefs about growth versus fixed mindsets, as coined by Professor Carol Dweck from Stanford University, are stored. A growth mindset believes in the capacity for improvement and learning, feeling open to learning from both successes and failures. In contrast, a fixed mindset focuses on the idea that abilities are limited and innate—we either have talent, or we don’t.
Consciously considering how we view a situation is crucial. The subconscious mind is powerful, and being taught how to use it to work for us, rather than against us, can drive us towards achieving goals and embracing challenges.
Changing the way we think can change the way we feel, which then influences how we act and respond. However, we need to train and practice these mindset strategies before performing under pressure. Here are some tips to help students maintain a clear and focused mind during exams:
Self-Talk: Develop specific phrases to read and reiterate to yourself when worry or doubt appears. Choose phrases that resonate with you and are easy to recall.
Breathing: High stress levels can cause shallow breathing, leading to a buildup of CO2, making us feel jittery and scattered. Practice inhaling with two quick breaths, followed by a long, intense exhale. Repeat this 2-3 times.
Visualisation: Regularly imagine yourself performing tasks and skills as you would like to. This includes visualising how you will feel and act before, during, and after the assessment period. When nerves and stress appear, decide how you will utilise this to drive you. When a tricky question arises, decide how you will respond calmly. Mental rehearsal in a relaxed environment can prepare the mind for reacting under pressure.
Remember, just as content knowledge is rigorously taught and learned, mindset skills should be as well. Set students up for success by teaching them strategies to mentally adapt and adjust to pressure.