A Validation Study of the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (Mars

Abstract

The Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS) was given to two groups of undergraduates. The first group also completed a questionnaire on their background in mathematics; the second, the Suinn Test Anxiety Behavior Scale (STABS). In both studies Humanities majors scored higher in mathematical anxiety than did Social Science majors who in turn had higher MARS scores than did Physical Science majors. In the first study females had significantly higher MARS scores than did males, but these sex differences did not replicate. In further validation of the MARS there was an inverse relationship between high MARS scores and (a) number of years of high school mathematics, (b) number of terms of Calculus, and (c) grades achieved in high school mathematics. Higher MARS scores were positively correlated with dislike of mathematics, a self-report of anxiety about the subject, the length of time such anxiety had persisted, and test anxiety as measured by the STABS.