Classroom Testing Procedures, Test Anxiety, and Achievement

Abstract

Four groups (N = 116) were maintained in a 4-factor analysis of covariance design to determine if more frequent, graded unit examinations followed by test feedback facilitate achievement and allow students with high-measured test anxiety to perform better on final course examinations. The testing procedures studied consisted of the administration of 168 examination items as either three or six unit exams, grading or not grading the unit exams, and providing or not providing class feedback and discussion following the examinations. Analysis of performance on two posttest measures indicated that the subjects achieved more from frequent, graded unit tests followed by feedback; however, variations of these conditions did not appear to influence the performance of the students with high-measured test anxiety.