Effect of cognitive restructuring and testwiseness training on test anxiety among newly admitted undergraduate students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara state, Nigeria

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Lukman Adaramaja Sheu

Abstract

Introduction: Test anxiety is relevant and highly complex issue in academic settings which can produce severe psychic problems and hamper academic achievement.


Purpose: Investigate the effects of cognitive restructuring and testwiseness training on test anxiety among newly admitted undergraduate students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.


Methodology: The study adopted quasi-experimental design employing the non-randomized pre-test, post-test, control group design. This study has three treatment groups and a control group. The treatment groups are Cognitive Restructuring Technique (CRT) group, Testwiseness Training (TT) group, combination of CRT group and TT group. The sample size of the study comprised 200 newly admitted 100 level undergraduate students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, selected using multistage sampling techniques. The selected undergraduate students cut across the four (4) faculties in the University: Education, Humanities, Management and Social Sciences, and Sciences. The instrument used for data collection in the study is Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI). The data collected were analyzed using Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) which is a technique for controlling extraneous variables and reducing within group differences.


Results: The results showed that Cognitive Restructuring Technique (CRT) and Testwiseness Training (TT) were efficacious in the reduction of the test anxiety among newly admitted undergraduate students exposed to the treatments. It was further revealed that combined treatments of CRT and TT were more effective than the single treatments.


Recommendation: Major recommendation is that Cognitive Restructuring Technique and Testwiseness Training should be incorporated by the lecturers of tertiary institution in their instructions to further improve test taking skills of their students in order to improve their performance.

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How to Cite
Sheu , L. A. (2022). Effect of cognitive restructuring and testwiseness training on test anxiety among newly admitted undergraduate students of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara state, Nigeria. Journal of Educational Research in Developing Areas, 3(1), 80-89. https://doi.org/10.47434/JEREDA.3.1.2022.80

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