How to Stay Calm During Your Exam: Why Calmness Is the Secret Weapon of Success The Hidden Power of Calmness in Exams Exams are often described as one of the most stressful experiences in a student’s life. Whether it’s a high school board exam, a university semester test, or a competitive entrance exam, the pressure to perform can trigger anxiety, racing thoughts, and even physical symptoms like sweating or rapid heartbeat. According to a 2025 study published in ScienceDirect , middle-school students who practiced simple breathing exercises saw a significant reduction in test anxiety and an increase in self-esteem. Calmness, therefore, is not just a state of mind—it’s a scientifically proven performance enhancer. When students remain calm, their brain functions more efficiently, memory recall improves, and problem-solving becomes sharper. In fact, research shows that stress can reduce working memory capacity by up to 20% , directly impacting exam performance. This means that staying ...