Factors causing exam anxiety in medical students.

INTRODUCTION To assess examination related anxiety among final professional medical students by VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) and to determine the factors contributing to exam anxiety among final professional medical students METHODS A cross sectional study using structured self-administered questionnaire was carried out over four weeks in Dow Medical College using sample size of 120 students. Duration of study was four weeks in May 2006. Survey questionnaire consisted of VAS to measure exam anxiety and seventeen questions regarding life style, study style, psychological problems, and examination system. RESULT A total of 120 students out of 200 (60%) filled in the questionnaire. There were 25.8% male and 74.2% female students. The average maximum Exam Anxiety marked on VAS was 64+/-28. Among different factors contributing to exam anxiety, extensive course loads (90.8%), lack of physical exercise (90%) and long duration of exams (77.5%) were the most important factors reported by the students. Most of the students had no knowledge of exam-taking and anxiety-reduction techniques and majority of those who knew these strategies did not implement them. CONCLUSION This study indicates moderate level of exam anxiety based on a Visual Analogue Scale in students of a medical college and also highlights factors such as extensive course load, lack of exercise and long duration of exams which contribute to Exam Anxiety.