THE IMPACT OF COLLABORATIVE TESTING ON TEST ANXIETY

Abstract

Objective: High-stakes testing environments may lead to test anxiety in college students and may negatively impact college performance. Learning strategies related to test taking, test administration and test preparation may reduce test anxiety. Collaborative testing is one possible method for reducing test anxiety. A decrease in test anxiety may also lead to other positive benefits such as improved test scores, increased confidence, critical thinking and student satisfaction.  This paper examines collaborative testing’s effect on test anxiety in students at professional health institutions.

Data Sources: The literature was searched using PubMed, google scholar Ebscohost and Science Direct. Indexing terms included collaborative testing and test anxiety in the English language only.

Study Selection: Studies were selected if they examined test anxiety and collaborative testing at professional health institutions. Seven articles were initially selected. After reviewing, 4 articles were eventually chosen.

Data Synthesis: Results were similar in the 4 studies. Students who took tests collaboratively had a reduction in test anxiety compared to students who took tests individually. Other interesting findings were improved test scores, increased confidence, critical thinking skills and student satisfaction.

Conclusion: Collaborative testing may help reduce test anxiety. Faculty and administrators may want to incorporate this testing strategy into their classrooms to help reduce test anxiety. Findings of improved test scores, increased confidence, increased critical thinking skills and positive student’s attitudes may result from a decrease in test anxiety, collaborative testing or both. Further evaluation of collaborative testing’s impact on test anxiety and academic performance is needed. (Chiropr J Australia 2016;44:214-221)