Smith and Lazarus's 1990 and 1993 theory of cognition-emotion associations guided this exploration of individuals' pre-exam experiences. The study also tested the model's integrity during a stressful event and examined its downward extension to children. A total of 47 girls ages 8 to 14 (M = 11.57, SD = 2.14) and 109 adult guardians of female patients (all ages) completed a brief questionnaire about their pre-exam thoughts and feelings. The majority of participants viewed the impending exam as important and desirable, reported optimism and confidence in their ability to cope or adjust, and described mild to moderate anxiety as well as moderate to high hope/gladness. The majority of adults also reported relatively high levels of sadness. Data supported the model's cognition-emotion associations. The article concludes that this theory-driven research offers a richer understanding of children who may have been sexually abused and their supportive adult guardians and encourages more positive and realistic expectations for these individuals. Tables, references