Test Anxiety and Academic Stress as Predictive Factors of Examination Malpractice among Senior Secondary School Students in Isu Local Government Area of Imo State

This study examined test anxiety and academic stress as predictive factors of examination malpractice among senior secondary school students in Isu Local Government Area, Imo State. The study adopted correlational research design. Two (2) research questions and two (2) hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study consisted of all senior secondary school students in Isi Local Government Area. The population comprised 13,976 students. The sample size comprised 400 students selected through purposive and simple random sampling technique. The researcher developed a self-structured questionnaire titled “Psychological Factors and Students’ Examination Questionnaire” (PFSQ). The PFSQ is divided into three sections, A, B and C. Section A was made up of demographic variables such as name of institution, gender, qualification. Section B and C contained 10 and 10 item statements each to measure psychological factors and examination malpractice. The PFSQ was validated and tested for reliability using test re-test method where copies of the instrument was administered to 30 students who were not part of the study. The reliability indices of PFSQ (r=0.72) and EMI (r=0.90). Simple linear regression was used to answer research questions 1 to 2 and test the null hypotheses 1 to 2. The analyses of the hypotheses was tested for statistical significance at .05 alpha level. The data analyzed showed that to a very high extent test anxiety significantly predicted examination malpractice among senior secondary school students and to a very high extent academic stress significantly predicted examination malpractice among senior secondary school students in Isu Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, the researcher made some appropriate recommendations such as senior secondary school teachers should ensure that students are prepared adequately to face their examinations by covering all the syllabus before the examinations. Also, government should provide learning materials to enhance effective teaching and learning process.