Selected correlates associated with test anxiety among 14-16 year olds in a Colombo district school

Introduction: Worldwide studies have identified varied correlates associated with test anxiety in school children. Such studies are rare in Sri Lanka.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the association between test anxiety and selected correlates in a group of Sri Lankan school children.

Method: All children (n=107) in the 10^th grade in a selected school completed a psychometric test-battery which was a part of a larger study.  These included the Ravens Standard Progressive Matrices (assesses intelligence),   Westside Test Anxiety Scale (assesses test anxiety), and the Personality Assessment Questionnaire (assesses personality maladjustment). The students also completed a socio-demographic questionnaire. Their previous semester academic averages were obtained from the school administration. The Colombo Medical Faculty Ethics Review Committee approved the study.

Results: Personality maladjustment and test anxiety were significantly and positively correlated (Pearson coefficient correlation = 0.438). The students’ previous semester academic scores were also analysed in relation to test anxiety using non-parametric methods. Academic averages showed a significant negative correlation with test anxiety(Spearman coefficient correlations = -0.234) and a significant positive correlation with intelligence (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.537). The results also showed that the mean scores of test anxiety were significantly higher (p<0.05) in females (mean=2.683) than in males (mean= 2.328). 

Conclusions: The study indicates that increased personality maladjustment and female gender are associated with test anxiety. It also shows that increased test anxiety is associated with decreased academic performance.

(Key words: Test anxiety, examination stress, personality maladjustment, Sri Lankan school children)

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2017; 46(2): 117-121