This study was designed to answer two questions: (1) Is the systematic desensitization of test anxiety effective with secondary school students?; (2) Is relaxation per se as useful a technique as systematic desensitization? High test anxious secondary-school students were assigned to one of two experimental conditions, desensitization or relaxation, and met for 20 minutes daily for a period of 6 weeks. Their results were compared to those of a no treatment control group. It appeared that the experimental subjects (Ss) underwent a significant reduction in anxiety. However, only among grade 13 Ss was there a trend toward improved academic performance. (Note: In the Ontario School System, grade 13 is for students planning to attend university.) The relaxation per se treatment was more effective in reducing general anxiety than systematic desensitization. The results and their implications for future research were discussed. (Author)