Ask the Expert - How to spell obsession: Weekly tests run my boy's life

You say your son studies the weekly list of words for hours and I am presuming that you mean the night before, or at most, two nights before the test. This level of study for a weekly test certainly strikes me as excessive, especially considering the level of anxiety he is exhibiting. You mention that he cannot sleep the night before a test and this is hardly surprising if hours are being spent attempting to memorise a list of words. He may feel that if he does not get full marks this will somehow have a detrimental effect upon his progress, his teacher's viewpoint, and possibly his parents' view of his ability. In order for you to consider a course of action it is important to consider the following: 1. Does your son show an increased level of anxiety when he has to sit other tests in school or in other situations, either at home or elsewhere? 2. Is he happy at school in general? Maybe the sense of anxiety he is experiencing manifests itself around the time of the test but is not directly related to the test. It could be, for example, another event in the school, class, or maybe even at home.