PREVALENCE OF TEST ANXIETY AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN A NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY

ABSTRACT

The study investigates “prevalence of test anxiety among undergraduate students in a Nigerian University”. Two (2) research questions were raised to guide the study. Research Question 2 was hypothesized. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of Seventy-seven thousands(77,000) Uniben Students. Samples comprised of one hundred and fifty (150) in number. In organizing and presenting collected data, tables and percentages were used, also, t-test was to answer the hypothesis. The study was motivated by the necessity to expose the prevalence of test anxiety among students in the University of Benin, Benin City. To solve the research problem, various methodology was used such as population of the study and sample and sampling techniques. The research instrument used in collecting data were questionnaires. The questionnaires were divided into two sections, Section A and B. Section A was designed to generate personal information of the respondents, while Section B comprised of items on the topic under investigation. The instrument was reviewed and validated by the project supervisor for screening before administration to respondents. The findings of the study revealed that test anxiety is highly prevalent among undergraduate students in the University of Benin. It also revealed that there is no significant difference in test anxiety among male and female students in the University of Benin, which by implication mean that students react alike to test anxiety irrespective of their gender. Based on the findings, the following were recommended; that the schools’ guidance and counselling  centre be actively involved in students’ academic pursuit by organizing seminars, conferences and other sensitization programmes to enlighten them more about test anxiety. Also that the federal government show their passion for students’ academics by constantly upgrading lecture rooms and providing facilities and instructional aids to advance learning among students.