What mental state should learners strive to maintain during test-taking according to best practices?

Maintaining a calm and collected mental state during test-taking is essential for optimal performance. This approach allows learners to think clearly, process information effectively, and recall knowledge without the interference of overwhelming emotions. When students are calm, they are more likely to focus on the questions, manage their time efficiently, and reduce the likelihood of making careless mistakes due to panic or anxiety.

Being anxious and worried can lead to heightened stress levels, which may cloud judgment and hinder the ability to concentrate. Similarly, distractions from the surrounding environment can further exacerbate feelings of unease, making it difficult to stay focused on the task at hand. Lastly, being overly confident and careless might result in underestimating the test's difficulty, leading to mistakes that could have been easily avoided with a more measured and focused approach.