Teaching study skills and test-taking strategies to elementary school students. The Testbusters Program

Area of Science:

• Educational Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Test anxiety is a common issue affecting academic performance in school-aged children.
• Social-evaluative concerns can exacerbate test anxiety, leading to distress and lower achievement.
• Existing interventions may not adequately address the multifaceted nature of test anxiety in younger students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot program called Testbusters in reducing test anxiety.
• To assess the program's impact on academic achievement and related psychological factors in children.
• To explore the utility of a skills-based strategy for managing test anxiety.

Main Methods:

• The Testbusters program, an 11-week intervention for grades 4-7, focused on study habits, skills, and strategies.
• A behavioral contract was incorporated to promote consistent study behavior.
• Assessment included self-report measures, behavioral assessments, and grade point averages.

Main Results:

• The program significantly decreased general test anxiety levels and self-reported distress during testing.
• Participants showed a significant improvement in overall grade point average.
• Positive academic improvements were observed in most subjects, though self-esteem and cognitive competence judgments remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• The Testbusters program demonstrates a viable skills-based strategy for mitigating test anxiety in children.
• The intervention shows promise in enhancing academic achievement alongside anxiety reduction.
• Further research can explore long-term effects and broader implementation of such programs.