Evidence is cited from one situation that suggests that test anxiety has a positive influence on performance in course assessment, which may be viewed as a less stressful test situation. This result is discussed in terms of Spence's "drive theory." (Author/LBH)

A follow-up study examined 12 children who demonstrated stress in the period leading up to or during administration of standard assessment tasks (SATs). Findings indicate that for some children who tend to be sensitive or anxious, the SATs may push them beyond a level of stress that is manageable or acceptable. (Contains 1 reference.) (CR)

It is well known among scholars and practitioners that stress and anxiety responses are genuine scientifically measurable reactions to a perceived stressor. It is also common knowledge that high levels of stress and anxiety have a multitude of negative psycho-physiological effects. These effects can contribute to the development of depression and…

The effects of achievement-oriented and neutral instructions on the humor ratings of both testing and non-testing cartoons were assessed for high- and low test-anxious students. The effects of humor in reducing state anxiety were also evaluated. Fifty-two undergraduate students were selected on the basis of their Test Anxiety Scale scores. Both…

To test the effects of altering situational variables in stressful examinations on high test anxious and low test anxious undergraduates, mid-terms and final examinations were administered in two environmental settings: large lecture halls and small language laboratories. Mean test scores for high test anxious students in the language labs were…

A large amount of research has been done in the past few decades to pinpoint the effects of test anxiety on the performance of those taking tests. Much of that research is listed in this bibliography, which originated with a computer search of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) data base, Psychological Abstracts, Comprehensive…