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Full Length
Research Paper
Self-Efficacy and test anxiety as correlates of academic
performance
Euckay U. Onyeizugbo
Department of Psychology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Email: euckieo@yahoo.com
; dr.uk2010@hotmail.com
Received 12 October, 2010; Accepted 28 October, 2010
The study examined self-efficacy and test anxiety as
correlates of academic performance among 249 undergraduate
students of a university in Eastern Nigeria. General
Self-efficacy Scale and Westside Test Anxiety Scale were
used to assess self-efficacy and test anxiety respectively,
whereas average score of students in two psychology degree
courses were used to assess their academic performance.
Results showed a significant positive correlation between
self-efficacy and academic performance (.24, p < .001) and a
significant negative correlation between test anxiety and
academic performance (-.43, p < .001). Also, regression
analysis showed a significant model emerged, F 2,246
=31.32, p<. 001. Self-efficacy significantly predicted the
variability in academic performance ß = .151, p < .01, and
equally, test anxiety proves to be a significant predictor
of the variability in academic performance, ß = -.390, p <
.001. Given the observed high correlation between
self-efficacy and test anxiety in academic performance, the
author is concerned that the observed high prevalence of
examination fraud in Nigeria may not be unconnected with
students’ low appraisal of their capability in academic
context, and therefore recommends programs that will
facilitate gains in self-efficacy as well as confident
posture in approaching examinations.
Keywords: Self-efficacy, test anxiety, academic
performance, university students, Nigeria |