overcome exam fears/nerves

I have always been very nervous when I had an oral exam. If it was a written exam I was also nervous, but I am good at writing, so I wasn't that worried about it. I am quite shy and that is one of the reasons why I hate oral exams. I once decided to make an experiment, I wanted to see is positive thinking/positive affirmations could change my feelings about the exam. I had an oral exam in psychology, and as always I was very nervous, but a couple of days before the exam I started using postive affirmations, I repeated over and over and over: "My exam is going really well". I almost "brainwashed" myself with that sentence, and the amazing thing happened: No only did my exam go well, I actually enjoyed it! I enjoyed talking, I felt relaxed and I talked and talked. I enjoyed sharing my ideas and I really had a good time. It was a very, very strange experience, as I am usually shy and very nervous in that kind of situation. I haven't had an exam since my psychology exam, so I don't know if I would get the same effect if I tried again, but I would definately try using the same technic again.

Hours before the exam, I pray and ask for guidance from Him. I also perform some deep breathing exercises to make me feel more relaxed. To make my mind work during the exams, I have to make sure that I sleep early the night before the exam day. Meditations and scented candles can also relax my mind. I don't drink coffee on the exam day, especially if my test starts in the morning so that I will not have any cramping stomach or most importantly, I won't feel nervous or have a tachycardia (some rapid palpitations/fast heart rate).

Test anxiety is definately an area that has been written on extensively. For myself, I find that if I study all the time I don't clam up before an exam because I know it. However, now I'm in graduate school so things are slightly different.