Recently, ThePleasantDream conducted a global survey on recurring dreams, which included 506 participants. As per the survey, 71.8% agreed to have recurring dreams, and the prominent dream was – “You’re taking a test in school.”
Regarding this survey, we asked some experts what could be the reason behind such a recurring dream, what the dream is trying to convey, the pattern of recurring dreams, recurring nightmares & their effect on mental health, and ways to stop recurring dreams.
So, here are some insights from the experts.
Expert Insights on Recurring Dreams of “Taking a Test in School”
Let’s explore what the experts had to say about recurring dreams of “taking a test in school.”
Why are people encountering recurring dreams of “taking a test in school?”
- Po-Chang Hsu, MD, MS, Medical Content Expert at SleepingOcean
Recurring dreams occur when the brain tries to process certain information. Such dreams are also sometimes linked with unresolved problems.
Thus, dreaming about taking a test is common among students who are worried about their academic performance or are getting ready for exams.
- Kellie K. Middleton, MD/MPH, Orthopaedic Surgeon
The concept of “taking a test” in a dream is very common and can represent feelings of anxiety or pressure you face in real life. This dream can often be interpreted as reflecting your inner doubts and anxieties, such as not living up to your expectations or feeling unprepared for a task.
In this case, it could be that you are feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about a current project or goal in your life.
- Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Article Reviewer at PsycheMag
Typically, our early memories are the leading cause of worry. The symbolic images in dreams are usually manifestations of unfulfilled desires and needs, fears such as insecurity, fear of exams, and childhood trauma.
- Isabella Gordan, a Sleep expert, Sleep Science Coach and co-founder of Sleep Society
Recurring dreams of taking a test in school can signify stress and anxiety related to issues such as imposter syndrome, fear of failure, or insecurity about not living up to expectations. As tests are common metaphors for challenges, these recurring dreams may signify fear or unpreparedness when facing life’s hurdles. It could also indicate that the dreamer feels overwhelmed by their current obligations and needs time away from them.
- Tom Greenspan, a sleep expert, co-founder, and Sleep Science Coach of VS Mattress
Many people encounter recurring dreams of “taking a test in school” because they associate this dream with feelings of anxiety, fear, and pressure. This is likely due to their past experiences with tests or exams in school or the fear of failure. As a result, these dreams may be the individual’s way of coping with this fear or anxiety in their subconscious mind.
- Nicole Eichelberger, BSM-certified sleep expert specializing in insomnia, apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders & a consultant at Mattressive
People may encounter recurring dreams of “taking a test in school” for various reasons. It could be a manifestation of anxiety or stress related to school or work or a reflection of unresolved feelings or issues related to one’s education.
- Dr. Masica Jordan, Licensed Counseling Psychologist and Professor of Adlerian Psychology
People experience recurring dreams when they have unresolved problems. People having recurring dreams about passing a test in school could mean several things: They could have overcome some life obstacles and feel ready to progress. On the other hand, someone repeatedly failing a test could mean they feel like a failure in one or more of the aspects of their lives.
What does the dream of “taking a test in school” trying to convey?
- Po-Chang Hsu, MD, MS, Medical Content Expert at SleepingOcean
Some people believe that recurring dreams have a metaphorical meaning. Taking a test may convey the fear of being judged or making mistakes. Science tells us that dreams are the brain’s way of processing information or emotions.
- Kellie K. Middleton, MD/MPH, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Generally speaking, it could signify that you are feeling anxious or uncertain about something in your life and need to take some time to reflect on the issue. It could also symbolize feelings of insecurity or self-doubt or indicate that you must take a step back and evaluate what’s important in your life.
- Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Article Reviewer at PsycheMag
Whatever the situation, having this dream indicates that you’re worried about failure. Stress at work is commonly linked to dreams about returning to school and passing an exam.
This dream typically materializes when you’re stressed or believe you can handle an issue at work. You could experience this dream even if you made an important decision. It demonstrates your awareness of and concern about moving forward.
- Isabella Gordan, a Sleep expert, Sleep Science Coach and co-founder of Sleep Society
This type of dream is often associated with anxiety and feeling unprepared for challenges in waking life. It may symbolize a fear of failing or not being able to “measure up” to expectations that have been put on you.
This dream can be interpreted as your subconscious trying to help you process these feelings, allowing you to gain insight into the causes of your discomfort.
- Tom Greenspan, a sleep expert, co-founder, and Sleep Science Coach of VS Mattress
This type of dream may be the individual’s subconscious attempt at working through feelings related to their own life experiences or expectations. For example, the dream may convey the individual’s fear of failure or lack of confidence in their abilities.
- Nicole Eichelberger, BSM-certified sleep expert specializing in insomnia, apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders & a consultant at Mattressive
Dreams are often a reflection of our inner thoughts and feelings, so the dream could be trying to convey a message related to the person’s current situation or unresolved issues. On the other hand, it could be a sign of anxiety, stress, or pressure related to performance and achievement.
- Dr. Masica Jordan, Licensed Counseling Psychologist and Professor of Adlerian Psychology
People experience recurring dreams when they have unresolved problems. People having recurring dreams about passing a test in school could mean several things: They could have overcome some life obstacles and feel ready to progress.
Do recurring dreams have a common pattern?
- Po-Chang Hsu, MD, MS, Medical Content Expert at SleepingOcean
Recurring dreams often follow common patterns and repetitive themes, such as falling, flying, going to school, being naked in public, getting in an accident, losing teeth, etc.
- Kellie K. Middleton, MD/MPH, Orthopaedic Surgeon
In general, yes. Recurring dreams often indicate some unresolved issue or emotion in your life. It could be something related to current events or even a past experience that you still need to process fully.
This dream can be an essential reminder to take time, reflect on what’s going on in your life, and address any underlying issues causing you distress.
- Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Article Reviewer at PsycheMag
Dreams that come back often could be the same each time or only recycle the same ideas or anxieties. However, repeated dreams often have the same storylines or themes. Recurring dreams are unique to each person and, like other dreams, frequently feature people we know.
However, each person’s recurring dreams have a different precise theme. For example, there are recurring themes among people, spanning nations and time eras.
- Isabella Gordan, a Sleep expert, Sleep Science Coach and co-founder of Sleep Society
Yes, recurring dreams often have a common pattern. It is believed that the underlying cause of recurring dreams is unresolved issues or anxieties in a person’s life. In the case of recurrent “test-taking” dreams, it could be that the individual has anxiety related to their performance or being judged by others.
Such anxieties can manifest in your subconscious as a test-taking scenario, which then plays out repeatedly in your dreams
- Tom Greenspan, a sleep expert, co-founder, and Sleep Science Coach of VS Mattress
Recurring dreams typically involve similar symbols, themes, or characters. The dreamer may also experience anxiety or fear during these dreams. However, the patterns and feelings can differ from person to person.
- Nicole Eichelberger, BSM-certified sleep expert specializing in insomnia, apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders & a consultant at Mattressive
Recurring dreams may have a common pattern, as they often involve the same theme, setting, or characters. These patterns can provide insights into the underlying issues or concerns that the dreamer may be experiencing.
- Dr. Masica Jordan, Licensed Counseling Psychologist and Professor of Adlerian Psychology
Recurring nightmares tend to have a common theme, including the people and the people’s roles in those dreams.
What is the cause of recurring dreams in general?
- Po-Chang Hsu, MD, MS, Medical Content Expert at SleepingOcean
Recurring dreams typically occur when the brain tries to process information or resolve some issues from waking life. Such dreams might also be the brain’s attempts to integrate certain memories or experiences.
- Kellie K. Middleton, MD/MPH, Orthopaedic Surgeon
The cause of recurring dreams can vary from person to person, but some common reasons include unresolved emotions, stress or anxiety, repressed memories, or unresolved issues in your life.
- Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Experiencing recurring dreams may point to underlying issues regardless of the dream’s content. For example, adults who share frequent recurring dreams tend to have worse psychological health than those who do not.
Besides, many experts theorize that these dreams may be a way to work through unmet needs or process trauma. For example, when they are fearful of doing something or have to make an important decision, they may face recurring dreams.
- Isabella Gordan, a Sleep expert, Sleep Science Coach and co-founder of Sleep Society
The underlying cause of recurring dreams is often unresolved issues or anxieties in a person’s life.
- Tom Greenspan, a sleep expert, co-founder, and Sleep Science Coach of VS Mattress
The cause of recurring dreams can vary from person to person. Generally speaking, they are often rooted in unresolved issues or feelings that need to be addressed.
- Nicole Eichelberger, BSM-certified sleep expert specializing in insomnia, apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders & a consultant at Mattressive
The cause of recurring dreams is not fully understood, but they can be related to stress, anxiety, unresolved emotional issues, or psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Dr. Masica Jordan, Licensed Counseling Psychologist and Professor of Adlerian Psychology
The cause of the recurring pattern is related to the unresolved issue.
How do recurring nightmares with the same dream theme impact mental health?
- Po-Chang, MD, MS, Medical Content Expert at SleepingOcean
Recurring nightmares can be very distressing, especially for people with anxiety or depression. Thus, such dreams may aggravate the current psychological issues.
Recurring nightmares can also affect one’s sleep quality leading to mood swings, increased stress levels, and, again, aggravated symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental conditions. Not getting enough slumber can also increase one’s risk of developing a mental health disorder.
- Kellie K. Middleton, MD/MPH, Orthopaedic Surgeon
Recurring nightmares can be unsettling and cause a person to feel anxious, fearful, and confused. Nightmares can also lead to sleep disturbances, such as difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. These issues can, in turn, negatively impact mental health by leading to feelings of depression, low self-esteem, and even increased stress levels.
- Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Article Reviewer at PsycheMag
Recurrent nightmares are often due to unresolved anxiety or trauma that our brain has not fully processed. Among these sleep disorders, insomnia and hell are prevalent in clinical practice associated with psychiatric disorders. It can also increase self-harm and suicide in the worst case.
- Isabella Gordan, a Sleep expert, Sleep Science Coach and co-founder of Sleep Society
Recurring nightmares with the same dream theme can indicate underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. These kinds of dreams often reflect an individual’s fear or worry about a situation in their life and can cause stress and worry even when they are awake.
- Tom Greenspan, a sleep expert, co-founder, and Sleep Science Coach of VS Mattress
Recurring nightmares can significantly impact mental health and well-being, including stress, anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, and fatigue.
- Nicole Eichelberger, BSM-certified sleep expert specializing in insomnia, apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders & a consultant at Mattressive
Recurring nightmares with the same dream theme can have a negative impact on mental health. They can cause anxiety and fear and interfere with sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and irritability.
- Dr. Masica, Licensed Counseling Psychologist and Professor of Adlerian Psychology
Recurring nightmares can cause stress-especially in children. They can develop phobias or maladaptive coping mechanisms. However, the same applies to ignoring what needs to be addressed.
Is there a way to stop recurring dreams?
- Po-Chang Hsu, MD, MS, Medical Content Expert at SleepingOcean
Because recurring dreams often occur due to unresolved issues or stress, the best way to stop them is to address the underlying problems. This means managing daily stress, alleviating anxiety, and practicing healthy sleep hygiene.
In addition, it can be helpful to try relaxation techniques before bed, such as meditation, journaling, mindful breathing, gentle yoga, etc. If the dreams are disturbing or affect one’s sleep quality, it might be a good idea to talk to a professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy (especially imagery rehearsal therapy) is one of the most effective ways to deal with recurring dreams and nightmares.
- Kellie K. Middleton, MD/MPH, Orthopaedic Surgeon
To stop recurring dreams, it is crucial to identify the underlying cause and address it healthily. This can involve talking to a therapist or counselor, journaling, meditating, exercising, or engaging in other activities that help you process your emotions and thoughts.
- Jessica Miller, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Article Reviewer at PsycheMag
Therapy and Counseling is the best way to cope with it, and it is connected with PTSD, so CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is the best. Doing exercise is the best way to cope with it because people who exercise regularly have better emotional resilience and find it easier to cope with stressful situations.
Meditation also helps you relax, and other breathing exercises help. Besides, maintaining a sleep schedule and hygiene can help you to improve your sleep quality. So focusing on improving your sleep can also improve your mood and decrease your anxiety.
- Isabella Gordan, a Sleep expert, Sleep Science Coach and co-founder of Sleep Society
To stop recurrent dreaming, underlying causes must be addressed. Therefore, it’s essential to identify what is causing the anxiety or stress and take action to address the problem.
Sleep experts may advise lifestyle adjustments such as decreased screen time before bedtime and daily relaxation activities (e.g., meditation).
A therapeutic intervention like cognitive-behavioral therapy could help to address any unconscious worries related to the recurrent dream. Addressing these fears can help reduce recurring dreams’ occurrence, intensity, and frequency.
- Tom Greenspan, a sleep expert, co-founder, and Sleep Science Coach of VS Mattress
To stop recurring dreams, finding ways to confront and work through these issues may be helpful. This can include therapy, journaling, or other forms of self-reflection.
Sleep hygiene practices such as exercising and avoiding stimulants before bed may also reduce the frequency of recurring dreams.
- Nicole Eichelberger, BSM-certified sleep expert specializing in insomnia, apnea, and circadian rhythm disorders & a consultant at Mattressive
Some people may find relief from recurring dreams through therapy, dream analysis, or relaxation techniques.
- Dr. Masica, Licensed Counseling Psychologist and Professor of Adlerian Psychology
The way to stop them is to address and work through the unresolved issue (s) in your life. This can happen through counseling and other cathartic activities-but this does require you to acknowledge and confront the things you have ignored or have not adequately addressed.
Closing Thoughts
Now we know the real reason behind the recurring dream of “taking the test in school.” If you are also troubled by this dream, it’s best to seek help and find positivity through your dream.
