Employing Computer-Administered Exams in General Psychology: Student Anxiety and Expectations

Abstract

Computer-administered exams offer many advantages, but instructors may be reluctant to use them due to concerns that computer anxiety may increase student test anxiety. Introductory psychology students (N = 265) completed surveys prior to their first exam about their anxiety related to the upcoming exam, computers in general, and taking exams on the computer. One group of students took traditional paper-and-pencil exams and the other group took computer-administered exams. We found no differences between the groups for exam anxiety or general computer anxiety, but the traditional group reported more anxiety about taking an exam on computer. We recommend strategies for relieving students' anxiety, such as in-class demonstrations of the technology.