Predicting test anxiety using the 3x2 achievement goal model

Past research has demonstrated that the reasons underlying students’ decisions to engage in academic tasks (i.e., achievement goals) are associated with the experience of test anxiety. Empirical investigations focused on the association between achievement goals and test anxiety have historically been guided by the dichotomous, trichotomous, and 2 × 2 achievement goal models. However, few investigations have explored the association between achievement goals and test anxiety using the newly developed 3 × 2 achievement goal model. Therefore, the current study was designed to determine if task-approach, task-avoidance, self-approach, self-avoidance, other-approach, and other-avoidance goal orientations are associated with cognitive, physical, and social dimensions of test anxiety. Participants (N = 482) completed the 3 × 2 achievement goal questionnaire, the reactions to tests instrument, and the social derogation subscale of the FRIEDBEN test anxiety scale. Results indicated that after controlling for important covariates, task-approach goals were a negative predictor of worry, test-irrelevant thinking, tension, bodily symptoms, and fear of social derogation. Interestingly, the results of the current examination highlight that the endorsement of other-avoidance goals is associated with an increased fear of social derogation. The discussion explores how efforts to promote task-approach focused goals may be an effective method of reducing test anxiety within undergraduate and graduate populations.