Report
Characteristics of test anxiety among medical students and congruence of strategies to address it
Medical Education Online, v 19(1)
01 Jan 2014
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Medical students may experience test anxiety associated with 'high stakes' exams, such as Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination.
We collected qualitative responses about test anxiety at three points in time from 93 second-year medical students engaged in studying for and taking Step 1.
Causes of test anxiety as reported by students were related to negative self-talk during preparation for the exam. Effects of anxiety had to do with emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, and physical well-being. Strategies included socializing with others and a variety of cognitive and physical approaches. Comparison of individuals' strategies with causes and effects showed some congruence, but substantial incongruence between the types of strategies chosen and the reported causes and effects of test anxiety.
Students' adoption of a 'menu' of strategies rather than one or two carefully selected strategies suggest inefficiencies that might be addressed by interventions, such as advisor-directed conversations with students and incorporating student self-assessment and strategies for managing anxiety within courses on test-taking. Such interventions are in need of further study. An annotated list of evidence-based strategies would be helpful to students and educators. Most important, test anxiety should be viewed by medical educators as a 'real' experience, and students would benefit from educator support.
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Details
- Title
- Characteristics of test anxiety among medical students and congruence of strategies to address it
- Creators
- John Encandela - Yale UniversityCrystal Gibson - Teaching and Learning CenterYale School of Medicine, New HavenNancy Angoff - Department of Internal MedicineYale School of Medicine, New HavenGary Leydon - Teaching and Learning CenterYale School of Medicine, New HavenMichael Green - Department of Internal MedicineYale School of Medicine, New Haven
- Publication Details
- Medical Education Online, v 19(1)
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Resource Type
- Report
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000340203200001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-84940219774
- Other Identifier
- 991020836353904721
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