On the relationship between test anxiety and academic performance

Abstract

The present study investigates the relationship between test anxiety and academic performance of Iranian university students in a Medical university. For this purpose, the valid and reliable questionnaire of Sarason was administered to 150 female and male students. Man Whitney and correlation Spearman methods revealed that test anxiety has negative effect on participants' academic performance. Participants' psychological and physiological experience was also descriptively discussed before, during, and after taking the test. Results show that students studying in lower degrees are more anxious than those who are more familiar with the test taking process in academic environment. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.