An experienced rationalist should be able to deal with all things real life is throwing at him. Exam stress is actually not much different from occult rituals - you are left in the blue as to what the questioner is about to throw at you. It will be not much different from any ritual (some actually seem to think that these are our modern initiation rituals). And real life has other stressors that are psychologically intensive. What is the difference?

That doesn't mean that rationalists should blindly try out dangerous (physical or psychical) situations at random.