Relationship between Test Anxiety and Academic Performance among Midwifery Students

Anxiety is a basic human emotion. However, when taken to extremes it may produce unwarranted results. One of the most threatening events that cause anxiety in students today is testing. This study investigated the relationship between test anxiety and academic performance of Midwifery students in Islamic Azad University, Najaf Abad branch. In this descriptive-sectional study, 114 midwifery students of Najaf Abad branch were selected in 2011. Data were collected via a two component questionnaire including demographic data and Sarason test anxiety questionnaire that were completed self directed in June. The data were analyzed by SPSS (16.0) software, using Pierson and spearman correlation coefficient and analysis of variance with significance level of 0.05. In this study, student's test anxiety score was 17.08. 33 (28.9%) of students had low test anxiety level, 51 (44.7%) moderate and 30 (26.3%) had severe anxiety. There was a statistically significant correlation (p = 0.044, r = 0.189), between test anxiety and academic performance of midwifery students. Given the considerable high level of test anxiety in midwifery students and its significant reverse correlation with academic performance, helping students learn to effectively manage anxiety is a challenge that requires a team effort.