Assessment of test anxiety in compulsory secondary education students

Evaluation of test anxiety in students of Compulsory Secondary Education. Test anxiety is defined as the tendency to respond with anxiety to situations were skills and knowledge are assessed, whose core aspect is the concern about the possible poor performance on the exam or damage to self-esteem of students. The aim of this study is to provide preliminary data on physiological, cognitive, and avoidance anxiety response in any subject. A sample of 859 students of Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO, in Spanish) with 12-to 18-year-old was recruited. The instruments used were the adaptation of Test Anxiety Questionnaire (CAEX) for ESO and High School, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. The results indicate that girls showed higher scores in test anxiety through physiological and cognitive component, but no differences in avoidance response by sex were observed. Students in 3rd and 4th level of ESO obtained higher scores in test anxiety, followed by 1st and 2nd students of ESO. Moreover, students with a very good grade obtained lower scores in test anxiety, however, those with sufficient and good grades showed higher scores on the three components of the anxiety response. Finally, students with higher failure grades and repeaters showed more avoidance behavior before the exam. In conclusion, the results suggest an increased vulnerability to experience test anxiety in girls, in students with lower grades and more frequently repeated courses.