Test-Taking Anxiety and its Effect on the Academic Performance of the Junior High School Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Anxiety is the most common psychological turmoil facing school adolescents' in everyday life. It is a common phenomenon which plays a crucial role in human. In school life, every school adolescents in one way or another is a victim of anxiety disorders. Students with an anxiety disorder are so much afraid and worried that they cannot function normally. The academic achievements of the students are badly affected and there is no denying to the fact that anxiety has increased and affects education as well as students' personalities which linger throughout their lives. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the causes and effects of anxiety among secondary students in relation to their academic performance for which the researcher came up with Innovative Teaching Approaches to improve their academic performance.

METHODS

The researcher adopted a descriptive-correlational study using a Universal Sampling Technique hence the 150 students both in Grades 9 and 10 of Matho Integrated Secondary School at Matho, Cortes, Surigao del Sur as participants. It utilized a survey instrument in gathering data which sought answers on test-taking anxiety and its impact on academic performance. Simple Percentage was used in determining the profile of the participants while Weighted Mean was used both for test-taking anxiety and academic performance.

RESULTS

Grade 9 and 10 of Matho Integrated Secondary School are composed of 56% males and 44% females. Male students of MISS have an anxiety scale of 1.9 (comfortably low test anxiety) and females a scale of 3.6 (high test anxiety). The English performance of male students in MISS was 84.72 (satisfactory) and the female students have 86.91 (high). Both males and females had their Test-Taking Anxiety related to their English Performance.

DISCUSSIONS

Females are more inclined and concerned in English Tests than males. Students who have low anxiety are students who have low study and thinking skills. A considerable and healthy amount of anxiety is needed and is helpful for the students to device efforts in performing well especially in tests. Students will improve inclinations and appreciation of English classes if their learning styles and multiple intelligence will be incorporated.

Male students may be given equal attention to females in English activities. Teachers can give a little sort of imposition on the study habits of male students because of low anxiety. It can be imposed on a prescribing amount of study habits.