Assessment of Exam anxiety level among nursing students

Abstract

Introduction: Exam anxiety is a free-floating feeling of discomfort in situations of preparation, taking tests/exams, which can prolong into the period of completion of the test/exam. Aims: The research aims were to determine the level of test anxiety in nursing students, then whether there are differences in the level of test anxiety in students due to sociodemographic variables, and to establish possible correlations between high levels of test anxiety and sociodemographic variables of students. Methods: The research was conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study at the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad. The study included 144 students of academic nursing studies. The General Questionnaire and the Instrument on Test Anxiety were used as research instruments. Results: Half of the students (50.7%) showed an optimal level of anxiety, and a quarter of them had either a low or high level of test anxiety. The research results confirmed a positive statistically significant association of high levels of examination anxiety with the year of study, material status and pressure of parents and the environment regarding the completion of studies. Conclusion: A high level of test anxiety can significantly affect mastering tasks and achieving the ultimate goal. Because of this, the prevention of test anxiety is essential, which aims to reduce the effects of anxiety due to testing to a level that will enable students to achieve self-control of stress and achieve the best possible results.