EXTRAVERSION AND NEUROTICISM AS CORRELATES OF TEST ANXIETY AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

ABSTRACT

This study examined extraversion and neuroticism as correlates of test anxiety among senior secondary school students. A total of 100 participants comprising 54 male and 46 female senior secondary school students were selected from Community Secondary School Amufie, Enugu-Ezike in Igboeze North LGA of Enugu State, Using of available sampling technique. The participants were within the ages of 13-20 years with a mean age of 16.5. Two sets of instrument were administrated in this study, the Big Five Inventory (BFI) by John, Donahue and Kentle, (1991) and Test-anxiety Inventory (TAI) by Spielberger (1980). Cross-sectional survey design was used while Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was applied to test the hypotheses. The findings revealed a significant correlation between Extraversion and test anxiety, r= .987, P <.05; and Neuroticism and test anxiety, r=.686, p<.05. Together, extraversion and neuroticism (multiple R = 0.36) accounted for 12% of the variation in test anxiety (adjusted R²); with F(2,97) = 7.25 at p<.01. The findings were discussed in relation to literatures reviewed and suggestions made.

Keywords: Extraversion, Neuroticism, Test-anxiety and Students