The Examination of the Relationship Between Test Anxiety and Anthropometric Measurements in Students Preparing for the Exam

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between test anxiety and anthropometric measurements in students preparing for the exam.

Subjects and Method: The study was conducted on a total of 225 volunteer students (142 female, 83 male) between the ages of 16-18 who were studying in the 11th and 12th grades in a private educational school in Ankara between December 2019-March 2020. Students’ personal characteristics, health status, nutritional habits were assessed using a questionnaire and their anthropometric measurements were taken. The Revised Test Anxiety Scale (RTA) was used to measure students’ exam anxiety.

Results: The mean age of the students participating in this study was 17.38±0.65 years. The RTA mean scores of male students (41.00±10.69) were lower than female students (46.21±11.45) (p<0.05). It was determined that the difference between the mean scores of RTA according to the age, education level, high school education was not statistically significant (p>0.05). A statistically significant and negative correlation was found between the students’ body weight, height, waist circumference and the total scores of RTA (p<0.05). No correlation was found between the waist/height ratio and body mass index measurements and RTA scores of the students (p>0.05).

Conclusion: This study show that the level of anxiety is higher in females who are preparing for the exam, and that there may be a relationship between some anthropometric measures of test anxiety in students. Effective methods should be developed for students to cope with anxiety and they should be provided with the right nutrition habits.