Examination Anxiety among Male and Female School Students: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: A Comparative study was conducted to assess the level of Examination anxiety (Test anxiety) among
male and female senior secondary school students in selected schools, Kollam, Kerala. The objectives of the study
were to assess the level of Examination anxiety among male and female senior secondary students and to compare
the level of Examination anxiety among male and female senior secondary students. The final objective was to find
out the association between level of Examination anxiety and selected demographic variables.
Materials and Methods: The present study adopted a Descriptive-Comparative design. 120 senior secondary
students (60 Male and 60 Female) from 11th and 12th Standard were enrolled using Non-probability, Convenience
sampling technique. The conceptual framework of the study was based on the Transactional model of Test anxiety
(Zeidner, 1998). Tools used for data collection were Demographic Performa and Modified Westside test anxiety
scale.
Results: Findings of the study revealed that the mean Examination anxiety score among male students was 2.53±0.69
and among female students was 3.16±0.67. The ‘student t value’ computed at 5.11**, df = 118 by comparison of
the mean examination anxiety scores of male and female senior secondary students was statistically significant at
P<0.01 level. No association was observed between the level of Examination anxiety and selected demographic
variables (p>0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the study confirmed that the level of Examination anxiety among
the female senior secondary school students were significantly higher than the male senior secondary students.