Exam Anxiety with Dyslexia: What Makes it Happen? And How Can It Be Prevented?

Many conscientious dyslexic learners with test anxiety struggle not just emotionally but physically. The stress of an upcoming test can be so overwhelming that it triggers symptoms such as stomach aches, headaches, or diarrhoea. For some, major test anxiety in dyslexic students begins days before the test even takes place.

Test anxiety in bright but struggling dyslexic learners often arises from a fundamental mismatch between their natural learning style and traditional teaching methods. This disconnect creates a vicious cycle: they study hard for a test, make every effort to remember the material, yet in the pressured test environment, they forget most of it. Over time, these bright but struggling learners lose confidence in their own minds, making future tests even more daunting...

The good news is that test anxiety in dyslexic students can be overcome. When a learner acquires study techniques tailored for dyslexic thinkers, test-taking becomes more manageable, and success becomes predictable. This newfound confidence reduces test-related stress and builds emotional resilience.

This presentation will introduce a simple, effective range of techniques based on the pioneering "Gift of Dyslexia" Davis methods. These strategies for managing test anxiety in dyslexic learners have consistently helped students feel more in control, reducing stress and improving performance in test situations.

The session is designed to be content-rich yet compact, ensuring ample time for questions and answers within the allocated hour. Attendees will leave with practical techniques for helping dyslexic learners overcome test anxiety.

The Session Presenter

Richard Whitehead is a Davis Dyslexia Programme Supervisor and Director of Davis UK & Ireland. With over 20 years of experience working professionally with the Davis methods, Richard has also spent six years as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator in secondary education and more than a decade as a classroom teacher.

In his book, "Why Tyrannosaurus But Not If? — The Dyslexic Blueprint for the Future of Education", Richard shares key insights and strategies for helping dyslexic students succeed in traditional learning environments. His experience and expertise make this session essential for educators, parents, and specialists seeking effective ways to help dyslexic learners manage test anxiety.