Validation of the Persian translation of the cognitive test anxiety scale

Abstract

The 17-item revised version of the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale (CTAR-17) was translated into Persian to be used for Iranian students. In this study, we used the Rasch rating scale model to examine the psychometric qualities of the translated scale in terms of dimensionality, use of response category, sample appropriateness, and reliability. A total of 297 undergraduate university students were administered the CTAR-17. Results indicated that the scale enjoyed acceptable reliability and the 4-point category scale functioned optimally. Perfect fit to the Rasch rating scale model was achieved once four items were deleted from the scale. Findings suggest that a 13-item brief version of CTAR-17 in Persian is a valid measure of cognitive test anxiety and can be used in treatment programs and future cross-cultural research on test anxiety.