Abstract:

This study examined the effect of self-efficacy and locus of control on test anxiety, and the study focused on Covenant University undergraduates, Ota. Test anxiety is a psychological condition that involves severe distress before, during and after a test/examination. The design adopted was the survey research design. Data for the study was obtained from 300 students. The instruments used to gather data from participant was the Test Anxiety by Speielberger, also Locus of Control Scale by Julian Rotter was used and lastly General Self-Efficacy Scale by Jerusalem and Schwarzer. Three hypotheses were raised and analysed. Hypothesis one was analysed using multiple regression and the result showed that LOC and Self-Efficacy jointly influenced test anxiety (F (2, 297) = 4.618, p = <.05) and also that test anxiety was mainly influenced by LOC (β =.-104, p = >0.05). Hypothesis two was analysed using independent t-test and result showed that gender would have an influence on test anxiety when males ( x̅ = 33.31, SD = 9.22, df = 298; p<.05) and females (x̅ = 35.77, SD = 10.08, df = 298; p< .05). And lastly, hypothesis three was analysed using ANOVA, the result gotten showed that academic level has an influence on test anxiety (F = (4,295), p = <.05). Based in the findings of this study, it is important that educators look for innovative ways to help students work on their anxiety level in other to improve their academic performance and build self-confidence.

Keywords:

Self-Efficacy, locus of Control, Test Anxiety, Academic Performance.