Gender Differences and the Relationship Between Academic Self Concept and Test Anxiety

This study investigates the relationship between academic self-concept and test anxiety, focusing on gender differences among university students. Academic self-concept refers to a student’s perception of their academic abilities, while test anxiety encompasses the worry and nervousness experienced during exams. The research, which included 228 participants, revealed a positive correlation between academic self-concept and test anxiety, with a stronger correlation observed in female students. Additionally, female students demonstrated higher academic self-concept scores, whereas male students exhibited greater test anxiety. These findings suggest that as students' confidence in their academic abilities increases, so does their anxiety about testing, possibly due to heightened performance expectations. The study underscores the need for interventions to manage test anxiety and enhance academic self-concept, ultimately improving student outcomes and well-being.