EFL test anxiety among Chinese graduate students: Effects of test characteristics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25170/ijelt.v5i2.1556Keywords:
trait test anxiety, state test anxiety, test characteristics, EFL test, Chinese graduate studentsAbstract
The paper is a qualitative study of the effect of test characteristics on test anxiety among Chinese graduate students. Different from previous research, the study wants to emphasize the importance of test characteristics in controlling both trait and state test anxiety in EFL testing contexts. Research results suggest time pressure, item type, item difficulty sequencing and test taking information given would affect test takers’ trait and state test anxiety in EFL tests. Implications obtained from this study include EFL test designers should consider the effect of test characteristics on highly anxious test takers, and alter test methods to reduce the debilitating effects of test anxiety on test results so as to improve test validity and reliability.
References
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Alderson, J.C., Clapham, C., & Wall, D. (2000). Language test construction and evaluation. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
Alpert, R., & Haber, R.N. (1960). Anxiety in academic achievement situations. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 61(2), 207-215.
Benor, D. J., Ledger, K., Toussaint, L., Hett, G., & Zaccaro, D. (2009). Pilot Study of Emotional Freedom Techniques, Wholistic Hybrid Derived from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Emotional Freedom Technique, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treatment of Test Anxiety in University Students. Explore-the Journal of Science and Healing, 5(6), 338-340.
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Browne, J.P. (1991). Test anxiety and achievement testing: Cognitive interference of skills deficit. Ph.D. dissertation: AAT 9112974.
Cismas, S.C. (2009). Test Anxiety and Motivational Incentives in Web-Based Learning. In I. D. M. M. N. Rudas (Ed.), Diweb ' 09: Proceedings of the 9th Wseas International Conference on Distance Learning and Web Engineering (pp. 77-82). Athens: World Scientific and Engineering Acad and Soc.
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Handelzalts, J.E., & Keinan, G. (2010). The effect of choice between test anxiety treatment options on treatment outcomes. Psychotherapy Research, 20(1), 100-112.
Hank, P., Pohl, V., & Krampen, G. (2009). Trias of Trust as Personal Ressource for Coping with Test Anxiety. Zeitschrift für Pädagogische Psychologie, 23(1), 19-30.
Hembree, R. (1988). Correlates, causes, effects and treatment of test anxiety. Review of Educational Research, 58, 47-77.
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Hill, K.T., & Wigfield, A. (1984). Test anxiety: A major educational problem and what can be done about it. The Elementary School Journal, 85.
Honarmand, M.M., & Moghaddam, K. K. (2008). The effect of systematic desensitization on test anxiety and school performance of girl third grade guidance school students in Behbahan. International Journal of Psychology, 43(3-4), 257-257.
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Kim, J., & Ahn, Y. (2005). A randomized double blind study of the effect of a distant heating method (Kwan) on test anxiety of university students. [Meeting Abstract]. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 58(6), S79-S79.
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Li, M. (2004). The effect of relaxation training on different kinds of test anxiety. International Journal of Psychology, 39(5-6), 250-251.
Mandler, G. (1984). Mind and Body. New York: Norton.
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Mousavi, M., Haghshenas, H., & Alishahi, M. J. (2008). Effect of gender, school performance and school type on test anxiety among Iranian adolescents. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 10(1), 4-7.
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Osstdam, R., & Meijer, J. (2001). Influence of test anxiety on measurement of intelligence. Psychological Report, 92(1), 3-20.
Parish, T.S., Buntman, A.D., & Buntman, S.R. (1976). Effect of counterconditioning on test anxiety as indicated by digit span performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 68(3), 297-299.
Parks-Stamm, E.J., Gollwitzer, P.M., & Oettingen, G. (2010). Implementation intentions and test anxiety: Shielding academic performance from distraction. Learning and Individual Differences, 20(1), 30-33.
Peleg, O. (2009). Test anxiety, academic achievement, and self-esteem among Arab adolescents with and without learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 32(1), 11-20.
Putwain, D.W., Connors, L., & Symes, W. (2010). Do cognitive distortions mediate the test anxiety-examination performance relationship? [Article]. Educational Psychology, 30(1), 11-26.
Putwain, D.W., Woods, K.A., & Symes, W. (2010). Personal and situational predictors of test anxiety of students in post-compulsory education. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 80(1), 137-160.
Sansgiry, S.S., & Sail, K. (2006). Effect of students' perceptions of course load on test anxiety. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 70(2).
Sapp, M. (1993). Test anxiety: Applied research, assessment, and treatment interventions. Lanham: University Press of America.
Schwarzer, R., Van der Ploeg, H. M., & Spielberger, C.D. (1982). Test anxiety: An overview of theory and research. In Schwarzer, R. Van der Ploeg, H.M. & Spielberger, C.D. (Eds.), Advances in test anxiety research, 1, pp. 3-9. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbawn Associations, Inc.
Snow, R.E. (1993). Construct Validity and constructed-response tests. In R.E. Bennett & W.C. Ward (Eds.), Construction versus choice in cognitive measurement, pp. 45-60. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Spielberger, C.D. (1983). Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Sud, A., & Monga, D. (2009). Test anxiety, achievement motivation and coping behavior among candidates aspiring for the Civil Service. Studia Psychologica, 51(2-3), 207-214.
Shermis, M.D., Mzumara, H.R., & Bublitz, S.T. (2001). On test and computer anxiety: Test performance under CAT and SAT conditions. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 24(1), 57-75.
Utz, P.W. (1978). Effect of therapist presence on a desensitization program for test anxiety. Journal of Human Stress, 4(4), 40-46.
Weiner, M.J., & Samuel, W. (1975). Effect of attributing internal arousal to an external source upon test anxiety and performance. Journal of Social Psychology, 96(2), 255-265.
Yuan, X.J., Zhang, Y.B., Zhuo, R., Su, W.L., & Fang, X.Y. (2008). The effect of biofeedback treatment under stress situation on test anxiety. International Journal of Psychology, 43(3-4), 124-124.
Zeidner, M., & Schleyer, E.J. (1999). The big-fish-little-pond effect for academic self-concept, test anxiety, and school grades in gifted children. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 24(4), 305-329.
Zigler, E., & Harter, S. (1969). The socialization of the mentally retarded. In D.A. Goslin (Ed.), Handbook of socialization theory and research, (pp. 347-480). Chicago: McNally.
Akman, B., Izgi, U., Bagce, H., & Akilli, H.I. (2007). The effect of elementary students' attitude towards science on their levels of test anxiety. Egitim Ve Bilim-Education and Science, 32(146), 3-11.
Alderson, J.C., Clapham, C., & Wall, D. (2000). Language test construction and evaluation. Beijing: Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press.
Alpert, R., & Haber, R.N. (1960). Anxiety in academic achievement situations. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 61(2), 207-215.
Benor, D. J., Ledger, K., Toussaint, L., Hett, G., & Zaccaro, D. (2009). Pilot Study of Emotional Freedom Techniques, Wholistic Hybrid Derived from Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and Emotional Freedom Technique, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treatment of Test Anxiety in University Students. Explore-the Journal of Science and Healing, 5(6), 338-340.
Bradshaw, G.D., & Gaudry, E. (1968). Effect of a Single Experience of Success or Failure on Test Anxiety. Australian Journal of Psychology, 20(3), 219.
Brown, H.D. (1994). Teaching by principles: An interactive approach to language pedagogy. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall Regents.
Browne, J.P. (1991). Test anxiety and achievement testing: Cognitive interference of skills deficit. Ph.D. dissertation: AAT 9112974.
Cismas, S.C. (2009). Test Anxiety and Motivational Incentives in Web-Based Learning. In I. D. M. M. N. Rudas (Ed.), Diweb ' 09: Proceedings of the 9th Wseas International Conference on Distance Learning and Web Engineering (pp. 77-82). Athens: World Scientific and Engineering Acad and Soc.
Clovis, D.L. (1999). Take out your No. 2 pencils: How to help ease students’ anxiety about standardized tests. Instructor, 108(7), 27.
Handelzalts, J.E., & Keinan, G. (2010). The effect of choice between test anxiety treatment options on treatment outcomes. Psychotherapy Research, 20(1), 100-112.
Hank, P., Pohl, V., & Krampen, G. (2009). Trias of Trust as Personal Ressource for Coping with Test Anxiety. Zeitschrift für Pädagogische Psychologie, 23(1), 19-30.
Hembree, R. (1988). Correlates, causes, effects and treatment of test anxiety. Review of Educational Research, 58, 47-77.
Hill, K.T. (1984). Debilitating motivation and testing: A major educational problem-Possible solutions and policy applications. In Ames, R& Ames, C. (Eds.), Research on Motivation in Education Volume 1, (pp. 245-274). Orlando: Academic Press.
Hill, K.T., & Wigfield, A. (1984). Test anxiety: A major educational problem and what can be done about it. The Elementary School Journal, 85.
Honarmand, M.M., & Moghaddam, K. K. (2008). The effect of systematic desensitization on test anxiety and school performance of girl third grade guidance school students in Behbahan. International Journal of Psychology, 43(3-4), 257-257.
Howard, E. (1987). Test anxiety and skill deficits: A test of two competing hypotheses. ERIC Digest 3015934. Retrieved March 8, 2006, from ERIC database.
Kim, J., & Ahn, Y. (2005). A randomized double blind study of the effect of a distant heating method (Kwan) on test anxiety of university students. [Meeting Abstract]. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 58(6), S79-S79.
Knigge-Illner, H. (2009). Coping with test anxiety. Psychotherapeut, 54(5), 334-345.
Lee, J.J. (2000). Language testing as a technique to enhance English as a foreign language teaching effects on vocabulary acquisition at the intermediate level. UMI No.: 9966845.
Li, M. (2004). The effect of relaxation training on different kinds of test anxiety. International Journal of Psychology, 39(5-6), 250-251.
Mandler, G. (1984). Mind and Body. New York: Norton.
Mandler, G., & Sarason, S. B. (1953). The effect of prior experience and subjective failure on the evocation of test anxiety. Journal of Personality, 21(3), 336-341.
Mousavi, M., Haghshenas, H., & Alishahi, M. J. (2008). Effect of gender, school performance and school type on test anxiety among Iranian adolescents. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 10(1), 4-7.
Nelson, D.W., & Knight, A. E. (2010). The Power of Positive Recollections: Reducing test anxiety and enhancing college student efficacy and performance. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 40(3), 732-745.
Osstdam, R., & Meijer, J. (2001). Influence of test anxiety on measurement of intelligence. Psychological Report, 92(1), 3-20.
Parish, T.S., Buntman, A.D., & Buntman, S.R. (1976). Effect of counterconditioning on test anxiety as indicated by digit span performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 68(3), 297-299.
Parks-Stamm, E.J., Gollwitzer, P.M., & Oettingen, G. (2010). Implementation intentions and test anxiety: Shielding academic performance from distraction. Learning and Individual Differences, 20(1), 30-33.
Peleg, O. (2009). Test anxiety, academic achievement, and self-esteem among Arab adolescents with and without learning disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 32(1), 11-20.
Putwain, D.W., Connors, L., & Symes, W. (2010). Do cognitive distortions mediate the test anxiety-examination performance relationship? [Article]. Educational Psychology, 30(1), 11-26.
Putwain, D.W., Woods, K.A., & Symes, W. (2010). Personal and situational predictors of test anxiety of students in post-compulsory education. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 80(1), 137-160.
Sansgiry, S.S., & Sail, K. (2006). Effect of students' perceptions of course load on test anxiety. American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education, 70(2).
Sapp, M. (1993). Test anxiety: Applied research, assessment, and treatment interventions. Lanham: University Press of America.
Schwarzer, R., Van der Ploeg, H. M., & Spielberger, C.D. (1982). Test anxiety: An overview of theory and research. In Schwarzer, R. Van der Ploeg, H.M. & Spielberger, C.D. (Eds.), Advances in test anxiety research, 1, pp. 3-9. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbawn Associations, Inc.
Snow, R.E. (1993). Construct Validity and constructed-response tests. In R.E. Bennett & W.C. Ward (Eds.), Construction versus choice in cognitive measurement, pp. 45-60. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Spielberger, C.D. (1983). Manual for the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI). Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.
Sud, A., & Monga, D. (2009). Test anxiety, achievement motivation and coping behavior among candidates aspiring for the Civil Service. Studia Psychologica, 51(2-3), 207-214.
Shermis, M.D., Mzumara, H.R., & Bublitz, S.T. (2001). On test and computer anxiety: Test performance under CAT and SAT conditions. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 24(1), 57-75.
Utz, P.W. (1978). Effect of therapist presence on a desensitization program for test anxiety. Journal of Human Stress, 4(4), 40-46.
Weiner, M.J., & Samuel, W. (1975). Effect of attributing internal arousal to an external source upon test anxiety and performance. Journal of Social Psychology, 96(2), 255-265.
Yuan, X.J., Zhang, Y.B., Zhuo, R., Su, W.L., & Fang, X.Y. (2008). The effect of biofeedback treatment under stress situation on test anxiety. International Journal of Psychology, 43(3-4), 124-124.
Zeidner, M., & Schleyer, E.J. (1999). The big-fish-little-pond effect for academic self-concept, test anxiety, and school grades in gifted children. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 24(4), 305-329.
Zigler, E., & Harter, S. (1969). The socialization of the mentally retarded. In D.A. Goslin (Ed.), Handbook of socialization theory and research, (pp. 347-480). Chicago: McNally.
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2009-10-31
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