TEST ANXIETY AMONG UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATES: THE ROLE OF HARDINESS AND LOCUS OF CONTROL

Abstract

Test anxiety is a commonplace issue in learners globally. Students who experience test anxiety are often side-tracked in test situations and experience problems with understanding relatively straightforward instructions. This study examined hardiness and locus of control as predictors of test anxiety among undergraduates in Redeemer’s University. A cross sectional survey design was adopted and a sample of 350 students (male-177; female-133; mean-20.11, SD-1.47) selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Questionnaires was used for data collection include, A Short Hardiness; Locus of control of behaviour scale; and The Westside Test Anxiety Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyse the hypotheses of this study. Findings from this study showed that hardiness predicted test anxiety (β=-.14, t=-2.59, p < .05). Locus of control also predicted test anxiety (β= .37, t= 6.74, p< .01) among undergraduates. Hardiness and locus of control jointly accounted for 21% of the total variation in the level of test anxiety among undergraduates F(2, 347)= 47.34, p< .01. None of the other demographic variables were found to be significant determinants of test anxiety. It was concluded from the study results that hardiness and locus of control are factors that significantly predict test anxiety among undergraduates in Redeemer’s University.