Preliminary communication

INVESTIGATION OF SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EXAM STRESS

Nataša Šimić ; Sveučilište u Zadru Odjel za psihologiju

Abstract

A number of studies have shown the examination period to be stressful for students. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of previous exam experiences and of the exam difficulty on some of the stress reactions. Twelve female subjects, first year students of psychology, participated in the study. They were approximately of the same age and same previous experiences concerning the taking of the exams. The research included the determining of anxiety state, high activation and exam apprehensions before and after the first and the second taking of the more difficult exam as well as before taking the easier exam. Previous experience did not affect the changes in anxiety state and high activation before and after the exam, while the estimates of exam apprehensions and exam difficulty on the Borg scale showed that the first taking of the more difficult exam was more stressful for the subjects. Furthermore, the levels of the investigated variables have changed in a similar way, showing the increase of stress immediately before the exam, and the decrease the day after. Results have also shown that higher level of stress precede the more difficult exam. It seems that the effects of previous experiences and exam difficulty should be respected in the studies of exam stress.

Keywords

exam stress; exam experience; exam difficulty; stress; anxiety; exam apprehensions; high activation

Hrčak ID:

139344

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/139344

Publication date:

20.5.2005.

Article data in other languages: croatian german

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