Test Anxiety as a Factor in Undergraduates’ Academic Performance at the Nigerian Premier University of Education

This study investigates test anxiety as a factor in academic performance.The aim was to determine whether students’ academic performance hasany bearing on the level of their test anxiety. Four hundred students wererandomly selected from the four colleges in Nigeria’s premier university ofeducation: (1) College of Applied Education & Vocational (2) College ofHumanities (3) College of Social Management Studies and (4) College ofApplied Sciences. One hundred students were randomly selected from eachCollege. Students’ Test Anxiety Questionnaire (STAQ) was designed and usedto collect data. Data was analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correctionand t-test. The result of the data analysis showed a high negative correlationbetween test anxiety and academic performance. Test anxiety experiencedlevels of male and female students also differ significantly. Regular periodicprogrammes to reduce test anxiety should be organised by the UniversityCounselling Centre, while parents should help female students prepare betterfor examinations in order to reduce test anxiety