Multivariate regression analysis of academic aptitude, test anxiety, and self-report study data from 122 undergraduates indicated high school rank to be the best predictor of grade point average. The number of days Ss reported studying and one test anxiety scale also added significantly to the prediction. Analysis of the study-relevant variables across the semester indicated differential patterns of study existed for students with good, average, and poor grades. The relative independence of test anxiety and study behaviors suggested that the latter class of variables might profitably be used to increase prediction of academic performance.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AllenG. J.The effectiveness of study counseling and desensitization in alleviating test anxiety in college students. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1971, 77, 282–289.
2.
AlpertR.HaberR. N.Anxiety in academic achievement situations. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1960. 61, 207–215.
3.
CarrierN. A.JewellD. O.Efficiency in measuring the effect of anxiety upon academic performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 1966, 57, 23–26.
4.
DesideratoO.KoskinenP.Anxiety, study habits and academic achievement. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1969, 16, 162–165.
5.
EstabrookM.SommerR.Study habits and introversion-extraversion. Psychological Reports, 1966, 19, 750.
6.
FishmanJ. A.Some social psychological theory for selecting and guiding college students. In SanfordN. (Ed.), The American college. New York: Wiley, 1962. Pp. 119–138.
7.
HusekT. R.AlexanderS.The effectiveness of the Anxiety Differential in examination situations. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 1963, 23, 309–318.
8.
KalishR. A.Making the most of college: A guide to effective study. Belmont, Calif.: Brooks-Cole, 1969.
9.
LangP. J.Fear reduction and fear behavior: Problems in treating a construct. In SchlienJ. M. (Ed.), Research in psychotherapy. Vol. III. Washington, D. C.: American Psychological Association, 1968. Pp. 90–102.
10.
MarloweD.CrowneD. P.Social desirability and response to perceived situational demands. Journal of Consulting Psychology, 1961, 25, 109–115.
11.
ReiterH. H.Prediction of college success from measures of anxiety, achievement motivation and scholastic aptitude. Psychological Reports, 1964, 15, 23–26.
12.
SarasonI. G.Effect of anxiety and two kinds of motivating instructions on verbal learning. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 1957, 54, 166–171.
13.
SarasonI. G.Test anxiety and the intellectual performance of college students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 1961, 52, 201–206.
14.
SpielbergerC. D.GorsuchR. L.The development of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In SpielbergerC. D.GorsuchR. L. (Eds.), Mediating processes in verbal conditioning. Washington, D. C.: U. S. Gov't Print. Off., 1966. Pp. 32–67. (Final Report to NIMH, USPHS)
15.
UllrichM.MacLeanG. D.Failure to predict college grades using personality measures. Paper presented at Midwestern Psychological Association, Cincinnati, May, 1970.
