What does the term 'test anxiety' refer to in the context of exam preparation?

The term 'test anxiety' specifically refers to the nervousness or fear experienced before or during a test. This phenomenon can manifest in various ways, including racing thoughts, excessive worry about performance, or even physical symptoms like sweating or a fast heartbeat. Such anxiety can arise from a variety of factors, including pressure to perform well, fear of failure, or previous negative experiences with exams. It's important to recognize that test anxiety can hinder a person's ability to perform to the best of their abilities, often impacting concentration and recall during the test.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of test anxiety. Feeling excited before an exam is a positive emotional state that generally does not interfere with performance. Physical symptoms caused by studying too hard may indicate burnout or fatigue but do not align with the specific definition of test anxiety. Lastly, a lack of preparation for an exam may lead to anxiety but is not synonymous with the feelings of nervousness or fear that characterize test anxiety itself.