THE INFLUENCE OF TEST ANXIETY ON FRESHMAN STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AT HARAMAYA, JIGJIGA AND DIRE DEWA UNIVERSITIE

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was investigated the influence of test anxiety on freshman students' academic achievement at Haramaya, Dire Dewa, and Jigjiga Universities. The researcher used mixed research method with concurrent/convergent parallel design. The study included 369 respondents, 353 were students and 10 freshman course instructors; 4 coordinators and 2 freshman program directors. Stratified and systematic random sampling for select students and purposive sampling for other respondents were used. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaire. The quantitative data were analysis by one-way ANOVA, stepwise multiple regression, Pearson correlation, and T tests. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis and content analysis. This finding is shown that, negative relationship between GPA and the cognitive, biological, and emotional components, r(353)= -0.71, -0.54, -0.63, p < 0.05, respectively. The stepwise multiple regression of TA with academic achievement result shown that TA was contributed 50% to the influence of test anxiety on freshman students' AA. The result of the independent t test result were significant, t(351)= 2.27, p<0.05, it concluded that there was statistically significant gender dif erence on the influence test anxiety among freshman students academic achievement. According to ANOVA result F ratio α= 0.05, F(2, 350) = 6.00. There was a statistically significant mean dif erence in the level of test anxiety on freshman students' AA across three universities. This study was concluded, Test anxiety is a factor that af ects freshman students' academic achievement. Cognitive and emotionally components of TA more influence the students’ academic achievement. Females freshman students’ more af ected by test anxiety when compared with males. There was high negative relationship between test anxiety and freshman students’ academic achievement. Researcher identified strategies to reducing test anxiety such as preparation, relaxations, take a rest(sleep) and make practices, finally, the researcher recommended for freshman program and academicians to providing training on academic skills like note taking, study skills, time managing, and exam taking skills for freshman students’