A Qualitative Inquiry of University Student's Experiences of Exam Stress and Its Effect on Their Academic Performance

Exam stress is a common phenomenon worldwide. It has been reported to have negative effects on academic performance of students. Although many studies have reported on prevalence of exam-related stress among students, however, there is less understanding on the perspectives of rural university graduates. Through this study, we explore the perspectives of university graduates on exam anxiety and stress, its major causes, and its effects on their academic performance. A qualitative case study approach was used to investigate the problem at the University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan. For data collection, we interviewed 12 final-year students of B.Ed course of teacher education programs who self-reported about their condition of exam stress and anxiety and its effect on their academic performance. Based on individual interviews, the students described their exam-related stress and its effects. The results of the study were presented thematically and categorized as (a) study pressure, (b) managing time, (c) teacher behavior, (d) sense of competition, and (e) study material. Discussion and implications based on the findings of the study are also included.