How EFT Can Help You Overcome Stress
Before an AWS Certified Exam
If you’ve prepared properly for an AWS certification exam, stress is rarely about a lack of knowledge.
It’s usually about pressure.
Pressure to perform.
Pressure to justify the time and money invested.
Pressure to prove—to yourself or others—that you’re ready.
Over the years, I’ve worked with many capable candidates who understood AWS well but underperformed in the exam. Not because they didn’t know the material, but because stress interfered with their ability to think clearly. This is where Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) can be a valuable support tool.
Why Exam Stress Gets in the Way
AWS exams are scenario-based. They don’t reward memorisation alone—they test judgement, pattern recognition, and calm decision-making under time pressure.
When stress takes over, the brain shifts into a fight-or-flight response. Cortisol levels rise, attention narrows, and access to memory becomes less reliable.
You might recognise this as:
- Second-guessing answers you know are correct
- Rushing questions unnecessarily
- Feeling mentally blocked on topics you’ve revised thoroughly
In short, stress prevents you from accessing knowledge you already have.
Managing that stress isn’t a “soft skill”. It’s a performance skill.
What EFT Is - and Why It Works
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), often called tapping, is a simple mind–body technique that combines focused attention with gentle tapping on specific acupressure points.
EFT was developed in the 1990s by Gary Craig, a Stanford-trained engineer, who simplified earlier energy psychology approaches into a practical, standardised process. His aim wasn’t theoretical complexity—it was creating a repeatable way to regulate emotional responses.
From a scientific perspective, EFT is understood to work by calming the nervous system. Research suggests that tapping while focusing on a stressor can reduce amygdala activation and lower cortisol levels. This helps shift the brain out of threat mode and back into a state where logical thinking and decision-making are possible.
That mental state is exactly what you want to be in before an AWS exam.
A Practical EFT Routine to Use Before Your AWS Exam
This process takes 3–5 minutes. You can use it before revision sessions, before logging into the exam, or while waiting to start.
Final Thoughts: Using EFT to Show Up at Your Best
AWS certification exams don’t just test your understanding of cloud services and architectures. They test your ability to stay composed, think clearly, and make sound decisions under pressure.
EFT is not a shortcut, and it doesn’t replace hands-on labs, practice exams, or solid preparation. What it does is remove unnecessary emotional interference, allowing you to apply what you already know with confidence.
Used consistently in the days leading up to the exam—and briefly before you start—EFT can help you approach the exam calm, focused, and in control.
A Short EFT Script to Use Before You Begin
Setup (tap the side of your hand, repeat 3 times):
“Even though I feel pressure about this AWS exam, I trust my preparation and allow myself to stay calm and focused.”
Tapping Round:
- Eyebrow: “This exam pressure”
- Side of the eye: “All this responsibility”
- Under the eye: “Fear of getting it wrong”
- Under the nose: “Letting go of this tension”
- Chin: “I’ve prepared for this”
- Collarbone: “I can think clearly”
- Under the arm: “Staying calm under pressure”
- Top of the head: “Focused, steady, and ready”
Take a slow breath. Then begin.
Sometimes the most important thing you can do before an AWS exam isn’t more revision—it’s giving your mind the space to perform.