Test Anxiety: Warrior or Worrier

As it turns out, there is a gene that influences our reaction to stress and has a bearing on how students handle high stakes tests. In any high stress setting or situation, the brain releases dopamine, preparing us for flight or fight. The COMT gene acts as a metagene, regulating how dopamine is managed after a stressful experience. In one version, the dopamine is quickly cleared out allowing a student to concentrate more fully on the test. In the other version, the flow of dopamine is slower to clear out leaving students in a lingering state of low-grade worry. Blood tests show that those with the fast cleaning gene do better on high stakes test while those with the slow cleaning gene do better on classroom assignments.  

In perspective, being a test warrior or worrier is not better or worse, just different, and most of us are a genetic balance of both.

To learn more about the COMT gene, follow these links.
Goldman, D. (2010) Gene x Environment interactions in complex behavior: First build a telescope. Biological Psychiatry. National Institutes of Health, February 15, 2010, 67(4):295-296 http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2963164
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/science/jan-june13/stress_02-18.html