Gender Difference in Test Anxiety among Psychology Students at The University of Cape Coast

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186

Gender Difference in Test Anxiety among Psychology Students at The University of Cape Coast

Ruth Annan-Brew (PhD), Daniel Gyedu, Pious Afriyie Owusu
Education and Psychology Department, University of Cape Coast

Abstract: Most learners live in a test-conscious, test-giving culture and their lives are in part determined by their test performance. It is anticipated that test anxiety is a universal problem for many students who are troubled by stress associated with taking tests that they experience substantial decrements in performance in evaluative situations. This study investigated the gender difference in test anxiety among Psychology students at the University of Cape Coast. Using a descriptive survey design and a proportionate simple random sampling technique, 157 students were sampled for the study. A questionnaire was administered to the participants. The data collected were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, and the students’ independent samples t-test. The result revealed no significant gender difference in the levels of test anxiety as well as how they cope with test anxiety. Testing schedules and inadequate preparation by students were identified as the two leading causes of test anxiety. It was recommended to the management of the university to ensure compliance with the implementation of the structured testing schedule by lecturers and the counseling center should engage in an intermittent educational program of their services to make students more aware and patronize their services when they become test anxious.
Keywords: test anxiety, gender, University students, motivated forgetting
I.INTRODUCTION
Anxiety is a powerful construct that has a significant impact on one’s life. Test anxiety, or nervousness over academic evaluation, is one of these fears (Mohsen & Mansoor, 2009). Exam anxiety is a term used to describe excessive nervousness for a test. When preparing for and taking an exam, it is natural to have some anxiety. Among tertiary students, test anxiety is extremely frequent. It is very normal to be nervous about future exams, papers, or presentations but examination stress and test anxiety are widespread issues in today’s society. The significance of test anxiety in determining the sources of student stress in evaluative situations and poor test performance is now well understood. The nature, origins, correlates, and effects of test anxiety have been studied by hundreds of researchers.
Test anxiety generally, is the uneasiness, apprehension, or nervousness felt by students during examinations or tests. Examination, on the other hand, is one of the main methods of assessment in schools at all levels. However, some individuals are so fearful of the test or other forms of examination that their performance is impaired. The level of test anxiety can fluctuate over time in response to both internal and external stimulation. In testing anxious individuals, some observable behaviors such as perspiration,

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