Causes, effects and management of examination anxiety among senior high school students in the Jomoro Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

This research examined the causes, effects and ways of managing examination anxiety of senior high school students in Jomoro Municipality of Ghana. The research was carried out using a descriptive cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach. All of the 2,400 students enrolled in public senior high schools in the Jomoro Municipality made up the study's population. The respondents for the study were selected using a multi-stage sampling method through which a sample of 331 seniors from two senior high schools received close ended questionnaires. Means and standard deviations, independent samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data gathered. The findings indicated that senior high school students within the Jomoro Municipality generally experienced high levels of examination anxiety. The study further discovered that examination anxiety was caused by poor time management on the part of students, inadequate preparation for examination as well as adoption of rote learning approach by students. The investigation concluded that examination anxiety interfered with students’ ability to perform excellently in examinations. Teachers, school counsellors, as well as academic advisors are therefore encouraged to sensitise students on the importance of adopting effective time management practices such as timetable, regular revision, elimination of distraction and positive attitude before examines.