A quantitative study of test anxiety and its influencing factors among medical and dental students

Abstract

الملخص: أهداف البحث: أجريت هذه الدراسة لتقييم قلق الإختبار وعوامله المؤثرة على طلاب الطب وطب الأسنان. طرق البحث: أجريت هذه الدراسة المقطعية المستعرضة بين الطلاب من ثلاث كليات للطب وطب الأسنان خاصة وعامة في إقليم البنجاب في الباكستان. شمل الاستطلاع بيانات عن الملف الديموغرافي للمشاركين في الدراسة باستخدام مخزون قلق الاختبار بواسطة سبيلبرجر. النتائج: شملت الدراسة ٦٨٠ طالبا مع متوسط ٢٠.٩٣±١.٧٦عاما. سجل تقريبا نصف العينة (٥١.٨٪) درجة عالية في قلق الاختبار (مخزون قلق الاختبار 45), and the mean TAI score was slightly higher for the dental (47.75 ± 11.45) than medical students (46.42 ± 12.79). Female students had a significantly higher mean TAI score (48.45 ± 12.79) than male students (41.85 ± 8.91; p < 0.001). The students from private colleges had a significantly greater test anxiety score (50.15 ± 13.23) than students from public colleges (42.88 ± 9.7; p < 0.001). Students whose parents were graduates from a college or university perceived significantly increased test anxiety than those of parents with no/school education (p < 0.001). A female gender (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.10, 95% CI:1.37, 3.22), being a private college student (AOR 2.88, 95% CI:1.90, 4.38), and having a mother with a college or university education (AOR 2.05, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.35) were significantly associated with high on test anxiety. Conclusion: In our study cohort, test anxiety was common among medical and dental students. A female gender, being a student from a private college, and having a mother with a high education were significantly associated with high test anxiety. The study findings may guide the development of programs that can reduce students’ test anxiety and potentially improve their education.

Keywords

• Academic score
• Exam anxiety
• Gender
• Parental education
• Students