02 Test Anxiety and Coping Strategies Among Colleges Students

Abstract

This study is aimed to explore the relationship between test anxiety and coping strategies among college students. Sample consisted of 150 college students (75 female and 75 male) whose age range was 16-21 years. Test Anxiety Scale (Sarason & Gordon, 1983) and Coping with Problem Experiences Scale (Hasting, 2005) were used for data collection. Results showed that test anxiety is negatively correlated with coping strategies. Moreover, active avoidance coping strategies are positively correlated with test anxiety whereas, problem focused coping strategies are negatively correlated with test anxiety. Female students scored high on the variable of test anxiety as compared to male students while, male students scores high on coping with problem experiences as compared to female students. Hence, it can be concluded that the effect of test anxiety can be reduced by using problem-focused coping strategies. At the end, practical implications were discussed and suggestions for future research were made.