Factors influencing examination anxiety among undergraduate nursing students: An exploratory factor analysis

Introduction: The time of examination is a stressful period where stress is on its highest levels. To some extent, low level of stress can help in motivating the students, however on the contrary more stress can be discouraging. It will make students exhausted, overwhelmed and confused. Aim: To assess examination anxiety and explore the factors influencing the examination anxiety. Materials and Methods: The present exploratory study was conducted among 341 undergraduate nursing students enrolled in selected colleges of nursing. The data were collected by using a demographic proforma used to collect the background information and test anxiety scale to assess examination anxiety and a Likert’s scale to explore the factors influencing examination anxiety. Factors were identified by exploratory factor analysis using extraction method of principal component analysis with varimax rotation. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Demographic proforma and test anxiety score was analysed using frequency and percentage. Results: Majority (90.3%) of the samples were females. Maximum number of participants (95%) had English as their medium of instruction in Preuniversity College. Most (61%) of subjects were normal or had no test anxiety, 25% had mild test anxiety, 12% had moderate test anxiety, and 2% subjects had severe test anxiety. Factor analysis identified four factors (Learning Process, Perceptions related to examination, Learning pattern, Over expectations related to learning outcome) that influence examination anxiety. Conclusion: The study findings will help the teaching faculty to take into consideration these factors during examination and help students to overcome anxiety.