A small amount of anxiety can actually be beneficial. It is a natural physiological response designed to prepare the body for situations that may involve risk or uncertainty. In moderation, anxiety sharpens our senses. It increases our alertness, enhances our hearing and vision, and can even improve our cognitive processing speed. This is why a little nervousness before an important event, such as the GRE, can help keep you focused and engaged.

However, when anxiety becomes too intense, the very systems that once helped us become alert can start to hinder our performance. This drop in performance is often linked to the fight-or-flight response. It is an evolutionary adaptation meant to help us survive immediate, physical threats. Unfortunately, it can be triggered by modern stressors that do not require a physical response, such as taking a standardized test.

During the fight-or-flight response, the body undergoes several physiological changes. Digestion slows or stops completely, since digesting food is not essential when escaping danger. Pupils dilate to improve visual perception. Blood sugar and stress hormone levels rise to increase energy availability. Perhaps most importantly for test takers, blood is redirected away from the prefrontal cortex—where reasoning and higher-order thinking occur—and sent to the muscles, heart, and lungs to prepare for physical action.

In a survival scenario, this response can be life-saving. But in a testing environment, it can work against us. When blood flow to the brain’s executive centers is reduced, so is our ability to focus, analyze, and recall information. This is why people often describe “blanking out” or “freezing” during a test. Their brains are no longer optimized for complex reasoning. They are stuck in a physiological state that prioritizes physical movement over thoughtful problem-solving.

Moreover, the fight-or-flight response is not easy to shut off. It is triggered rapidly, often within seconds of perceiving a threat, but the hormonal effects can linger for hours. Even after the immediate stressor is gone, we may remain agitated or mentally foggy, still under the influence of heightened cortisol levels.

Understanding this biological mechanism is the first step in managing it. Awareness gives us the opportunity to intervene with strategies that calm the nervous system. Deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or even simple body movements can help counteract the response. By recognizing that intense anxiety is not just a feeling but a full-body reaction, we can take deliberate steps to remain composed and mentally present during the GRE.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep