The Christian Science Journal Sept. 2006
Throughout high school, the most dreaded days of school were the ones when I had to take tests. I’d always been good at taking them until I reached high school, when, for some unknown reason, I became stressed out before tests—gripped by the fear that I wouldn’t know the answers and would fail. Afterward, I would feel frustrated when I didn’t get the grade I wanted after I’d studied so hard.I have attended a Christian Science Sunday School since I was a little girl and have learned that God is Mind and that this divine intelligence guides and governs us always. I’ve also learned that I am God’s loved child and express all of His qualities. Still, I couldn’t seem to get rid of the fear that surrounded test taking.
The situation got even worse my junior year as I began preparing for the Advanced Placement test. This test is a national exam that gives high school students college credit for a class taken earlier that semester. The highest score possible was a five, which only the top few percent in the nation achieve. If a student fails the test, he or she does not receive any school credit. Therefore, none of the time and effort spent on the class counts toward graduation. In the weeks leading up to the test, many of my classmates devoted every possible minute to studying, and they became very stressed out. I, too, became nervous and fearful of failing. With days remaining until the test, I decided that I needed to do something to deal with my fear. So I called my uncle, who had previously helped me pray about other difficult situations. Using the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, as our basis for prayer, my uncle helped explain to me the significance of completely trusting in God. My uncle asked if I knew exactly who God is and what He does for me. He reminded me that God, divine Mind, is the known, the knowing, and the knower because God is All—everywhere and everything at once.
To me, this meant that God had to be with the person who made this test, He had to be with the person taking this test, and He had to be with the person correcting this test. Thus, God not only governed and guided me as the test taker, He governed and guided every single person involved. I felt comforted as I began to realize that instead of taking this test to see how high a score I could get, I could look at this as an opportunity to express God’s infinite intelligence, patience, and love. I could also use this as a chance to be grateful, not only for God, but also for my teachers, my parents, and other people who had helped me during this process.
Throughout this prayerful time, I began to understand the vital importance of acknowledging God as the only source of true knowledge and of trusting completely in His guidance. I also realized that I was not a separate mind striving to be like God. As God’s image (see Gen. 1:27), I actually already reflect God’s perfection and omnipotence. What a fabulous revelation to know that I am completely and harmoniously united with Him. There is nothing that God knows that I can’t understand. As I continued to pray, I observed that there are three main stages to taking exams. The first stage is preparation. An important part of this preparation for me was deciding, right then and there, that I would listen only to God. I did not open a single book before affirming that God was with me and that He was telling me everything that I needed to know for the test. I did not allow any bad memories of previous tests, or fears that there wasn’t enough time to study, to cloud my head. I began to affirm that nothing bad could result from my honest hard work.This was the time to let my spiritual light shine. Jesus tells us,
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16)
I realized that this Christ light that each of us has within consciousness is able to liberate anyone from the fear of test taking.In my prayerful preparation, I also began to reevaluate my motivation for taking this test. Was I taking it to get a good score and to receive college credit? Or was I taking it to express God’s omnipotent intelligence? I knew it had to be the latter. With deep conviction, I decided from that moment on to be motivated in everything I did by my love for God. This purer motive lifted my thought from fear and stress. I felt so free! The second stage of exams is taking the test. Right before the test began, I reaffirmed that I had honestly done my work, not only academically but metaphysically. I declared to myself that it was Mind’s (God’s) day and that God had only good in store for everyone. I was confident that my preparations had been complete.
As I took the exam, whenever I came across a confusing or difficult question, I asked myself, “How many minds are taking this test today? The answer was that there was only one mind taking this test: divine Mind. I kept my thoughts filled with God’s love, knowing that He was supplying the correct answers for me and everyone. As a result, I felt God’s direction at every stage of the test. I made sure that I did not constantly watch the clock.
I affirmed that everything was in God’s hands. I would be able to accomplish everything needed if I relied on God and not on the time that I had left. The third and last stage is after the test. Immediately after finishing, I gave gratitude to God for everything that He has done. I declared to myself that God’s law is perfect and just, meaning that we would all receive a score that was accurate and fair.
Proof that my prayer was effective came when I received my score in the mail. I scored a five, exceeding the goal that I had set for myself. Best of all, since this experience, I no longer feel stressed or frustrated whenever I take tests. Instead, I feel peace and freedom. God and His angels are always surrounding me and all His children with love. From this experience, I’ve learned to trust God in every situation. This trust is an intrinsic quality in every one of God’s children. Whether we’re taking a test or learning how to ride a bike, we can depend on Him to supply us with the ideas we need. Mary Baker Eddy wrote,
Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need (Science and Health, p. 494)
I’ve found this to be true!
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This article was very helpful in my preparation for SATs and ACTs. Thanks for the great ideas! I am grateful.