MPACT OF MATHEMATICS TEST ANXIETY ON STUDENTS’ MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENTIN JOS NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE

Abstract

This research investigated the impact of mathematics test anxiety on mathematics achievement among students in
Jos North , Plateau State. Three hypotheses were formulated to facilitate the study. The population of the study
consisted of 475 SS II students of Airforce secondary schools in Jos. The sample for this study consisted of 285
with 152 students from Airforce Girls Comprehensive Secondary School and 133 students from Airforce Military
School drawn through the stratified random sampling technique. Mathematics Test Anxiety and Students’
Mathematics Achievement Test were used as instrument for data collection. The validity of the instruments was
ascertained through experts’ validation. Also, the reliability coefficient for the Mathematics Test Anxiety and
Students’ Mathematics Achievement Test was determined to be 0.89. The hypotheses were tested using Pearson
correlation statistics and t-test statistics. From the analysis of data collected, it was discovered that there is a
significant impact of mathematics anxiety on students’ achievement in mathematics. Based on the findings of the
study, it was recommended mathematics teachers should engage students’ full participation during lessons and
should use teaching methods that attract students’ interest.