When anxiety flares during tests or exams, there are often physical symptoms and thoughts that become distracting. While the most impactful supports for this are long term (i.e. counselling), there are a few effective strategies that can be used in the moment. One method is interrupting the body’s physical response to anxiety/stress by intentionally controlling your breathing and muscle tension. Examples include Box Breathing and/or Progressive Muscle Relaxation (see Managing Testing Anxiety). Picking a strategy to learn well before the test can help you remember it during your exam.