Author(s): Alphonsina Savell Thomas

Presentation: poster

The American Test Anxiety Association (AMTAA) defines test anxiety as tension induced by upcoming tests that reduces working memory, confuses reasoning, increases mistakes, and lowers test scores. Their research provides evidence of the positive effects of relaxation techniques for elementary and college students. This study used a modified version of Mental Toughness - an athletic performance anxiety reduction technique that combines stretch-tense exercises, relaxation, visualization, and positive self-talk - to study its effects on test anxiety in 76 eighth grade students. Anxiety was measured using the Westside Test Anxiety Scale provided by AMTAA. This was a quasi-experimental study using cluster sampling. Based on academic ability, clusters were separated into two groups with treatment and control - Honors and Regular. The researcher also gathered data to examine the effectiveness of Modified Mental Toughness on test performance. Preliminary data on anxiety showed an average score of 3.1 on a 5-point scale, which is described as "moderate" test anxiety. Post-test data is forthcoming. Initial findings for the method's effectiveness showed an 8-point gain for Honors Control and a 15-point gain for Honors Treatment test scores. Significance of this and forthcoming data has not yet been determined.

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