Standardized tests are commonplace in the U.S. education system. Given the impact of test scores on students’ access to opportunities, especially college acceptance, it's understandable that some students—even those who excel in school—feel anxious about testing. But why do certain students thrive under this pressure while others seem thwarted by it?
A New York Times article titled “
Why Can Some Kids Handle Pressure While Others Fall Apart?” revisits the issue of test stress and its impact on outcomes. It cites a new study out of Taiwan, where very high-stakes testing prevails. Study results suggest that a host of factors, like how we are raised and our skills and experiences, inform the way we respond to stress, but there is a genetic component too. Researchers conducting the study hoped to learn more about the role of a specific gene, called COMT, in a person’s response to a high-stakes situation. Additional study is now underway to explore how training or other factors can impact the effect of the gene. Initial findings are that simply removing the stress is not the answer for those who struggle with anxiety in stressful situations.
What can we gain from this emerging field of research about helping gifted students manage the stress they may experience when faced with high-stakes testing?
