Causes of test anxiety among students in the faculty of education, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract

Tests are invaluable tools to educators but their over-dependence on tests in recent times has heightened the negative impact of test anxiety on its victims. Though the causes of test anxiety are many and varied, understanding them could greatly help bring the rather perturbing test anxiety situation among students under control. The study was a descriptive research design involving a sample of 376 fi rst- and fi nal-year students, purposively selected from 2 871 students in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire, which had a Cronbach alpha reliability coeffi cient of 0.80. Focus group discussions were also held separately with students in each year group to gather further data. Questionnaire results were analysed as to frequencies and percentages under a two-point scale of ‘Agree’ and ‘Disagree’, while responses from the focus group discussions were transcribed and summarised under two relevant themes on test anxiety. The study revealed that fear of examination failure, poor preparation for tests and the rigid grading system at the University of Cape Coast are typical causes of test anxiety among students. It is therefore recommended that counsellors at the University teach students good study habits and encourage them to commence serious studies immediately when school reopens.