The two studies presented here examine the impact of non-cognitive factors on test reactions and test performance. It is well-established that test anxiety can adversely affect test outcomes, particularly in high-stakes testing situations, but what is less well understood are the moderators that can influence that impact. These studies examined the test-takers' distal appraisals of a testing situation, as well as their ability to process emotional information, and the effects of these factors on proximal test reactions and test performance. It was found that in these studies the positive role of test-taker confidence was more pronounced than the negative influence of test-taker anxiety, and that the ability of emotional perceptiveness had the effect of focusing attention on appropriate signals in the environment to allow the test-taker to have more accurate assessments of their own performance and to discourage the test-taker from using information from other items to influence their reactions to the items they are currently dealing with.