NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED593180
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 35
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Keeping Your Cool: Does Test Anxiety Bias Performance on the ACT? Research Report 2018-3
Steedle, Jeffrey T.
ACT, Inc.
Debilitating test anxiety is a general threat to validity if it biases assessment scores. Moreover, if bias differs between demographic groups, anxiety also raises concerns about test fairness. This study applied structural equation modeling to investigate possible measurement bias due to anxiety on the ACT® assessment and relationships among contextual factors, anxiety, and estimated proficiency. Results indicated that ACT scores were not biased by anxiety--in general and for female, male, minority, and White examinees. Anxiety was primarily related to examinees' feelings of being unprepared for the test. Health factors such as hours of sleep and eating breakfast were related to reduced anxiety and greater test performance. Results support practical guidance for students, parents, and counselors who want to minimize the emotional and physiological symptoms of test anxiety, even if it is not likely to affect test performance.
ACT, Inc. 500 ACT Drive, P.O. Box 168, Iowa City, IA 52243-0168. Tel: 319-337-1270; Web site: http://www.act.org
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: ACT, Inc.
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: ACT Assessment
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A