Test anxiety is a common challenge for students, causing distress and sometimes even interfering with their ability to perform well. Fortunately, there are effective strategies that can help students manage their anxiety and approach tests with confidence. At Alongside, we use both cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness-based strategies to support students in reducing their anxiety.
To see this in action, the video below walks you through an example of an Alongside chat in which a student is struggling with test anxiety. Watch to see how Kiwi responds to the student as the chat unfolds.
WANT TO TRY IT YOURSELF? Educators can create a demo account to see how Alongside helps students with test anxiety or whatever they are strugging with
Understanding Test Anxiety
Test anxiety can manifest in different ways. Some students feel nervous because they don’t feel prepared, while others experience anxiety even when they’ve studied thoroughly. In both cases, the key is to equip students with tools that help them gain control over their thoughts and emotions.
There are two primary ways to tackle test anxiety:
- Helping students study more effectively – When students feel prepared, they tend to feel more confident and less anxious.
- Addressing anxious thoughts directly – Teaching students to notice and manage negative thinking patterns can help them stay calm and focused.
How Kiwi, Our AI Chatbot, Supports Students
Kiwi, our AI-powered support companion, helps students apply these strategies in a personalized and interactive way. Here’s how it works:
1. Identifying the Right Strategy
Kiwi first gathers information about the student’s experience. If a student expresses anxiety despite having studied, Kiwi will suggest a cognitive approach to shift their mindset rather than just recommending more studying.
2. The Worry Tree Technique
One of the most effective cognitive strategies for test anxiety is the Worry Tree. This tool helps students:
- Identify whether their worries are within their control.
- Let go of things they cannot change.
- Focus on actionable steps to improve their situation.
By guiding students through this exercise, Kiwi helps them reframe their thinking and prevent anxiety from taking over.
3. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Strategy
Once students recognize that they are prepared, Kiwi introduces a mindfulness exercise that combines breathing techniques and positive affirmations.
- Breathing exercises help regulate the nervous system, reducing physical symptoms of anxiety.
- Positive affirmations replace negative thoughts that contribute to an anxiety spiral.
For example, Kiwi might prompt a student to practice deep breathing while repeating the phrase:
💬 “I got this. I am prepared.”
Practicing this skill with Kiwi increases the likelihood that students will use it before their test, making them feel more in control and confident.
4. Setting a Goal and Sending Encouragement
Kiwi helps students set a goal to practice their new technique before an upcoming test. A gentle reminder from Kiwi before the test serves as both encouragement and reinforcement.
5. Summarizing the Chat for Counselors
At the end of each chat, Kiwi provides a summary of the session. Students can share this summary with their counselor, teacher, or support team, helping them track progress and reinforce learning.
For counselors, all chat summaries are easily accessible in the inbox, and there’s even a pre-written encouraging message that can be sent to students—a favorite feature among school support teams!
Supporting Students Beyond the Test
Helping students manage test anxiety isn’t just about one conversation — it’s about equipping them with lifelong skills. By integrating cognitive strategies, mindfulness techniques, and personalized support, we make it easier for students to navigate stress and succeed academically.
Want to see how Alongside and Kiwi can help your students? Try it out today!
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