Test anxiety levels and related factors: students preparing for university exams

Objective: To assess test anxiety levels and related factors among students preparing for university exams. Methods: The descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Istanbul University, Turkey, and comprised students preparing for exams in two private courses for the 2010-11 academic year. Data was collected via an original questionnaire and the Test Anxiety Inventory. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analyses. Results: Of the 1250 students who qualified for the study, the final sample size was 376(30%). Of them, 210(55.9%) were females, and 154(41%) were 18 years old. Students mean Test Anxiety Inventory scores were 39.44±11.34. Female students overall test anxiety scores and mean emotionality subscale score were significantly higher than those of their male counterparts. Students whose mothers had an educational attainment between primary school n=170 (45.2%) and a high school diploma n=184 (48.9%), as well as those with four or more siblings n=49 (15%), had significantly higher mean overall Test Anxiety Inventory scores. Conclusion: Among other things, test anxiety is influenced by maternal educational level, type of high school, number of exams, and number of siblings. Preparing a relaxed study environment for students, providing the family monetary or social support, and encouraging participation in social activities are recommended to decrease anxiety in students preparing for university exams.