Students‘ Learning and Study Strategies in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and their relationship with Test Anxiety

Introduction: Test anxiety is a common problem among school and university students. Learning and study strategies as well as stress management strategies can be effective on students’ success and academic achievement .In this study, learning and study strategies, and their relationship with test anxiety has been investigated among students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 200 students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in May, 2009. Sampling method was Quota and the population studied included BS students of nursing and midwifery, medical library and information science, nutrition and health service management. All students completed Veinstein learning and study strategies questionnaire and Sarason test anxiety inventory. Then, the relationship between the scores was investigated. Data were analyzed by statistical tests of Students-T, ANOVA and Pearson correlation through SPSS version 15. Results: The results showed that the mean scores of 10 domains were as attitude 29, motivation 27, time management 26, anxiety management15, concentration 27, information processing 28, selecting main idea 30, study aids 25, self testing 23, test strategies for learning and studying strategies questionnaire 29. Also, the level of test anxiety was light in 37% of students, moderate in 38.5% and severe in 24.5%. There was a reverse and significant association between all above domains of learning and study strategies and test anxiety (p 0/05). Conclusion: According to the reverse and significant association between using learning and study strategies and test anxiety, these strategies can be taught as a way to decrease test anxiety.