Anxiety and heart rate in a real-life class test in undergraduates choosing real-time or prerecorded oral presentations

Abstract

Most studies on acute stress stem from works conducted under artificial laboratory conditions. Inducing stress for experimental scrutiny is problematic and can be unethical. In this study, a ‘research methods’ course’s curriculum included a demonstration study testing anxiety and heart rate responses to the midterm test. Fifty-four university students (35 males and 19 females) presented a research topic in-person (n = 14) or prerecorded while being present (n = 40). Students selected a test format they could change until the week before the midterm test. The measures were trait anxiety, test anxiety, state anxiety, heart rate (HR), the last two being measured before and after examination, and grades. All students manifested decreased state anxiety and increased HR from before to after the test. Females exhibited higher HR and state anxiety than males. Real-time presentations were associated with higher HRs but not higher state anxiety. Those who changed their planned presentation mode from in-person to prerecorded exhibited higher test anxiety but not trait anxiety than those who presented as planned. Students who presented in-person obtained lower grades than those who prerecorded their presentations. Grades were negatively correlated with state anxiety after the test, but test anxiety did not significantly mediate the grades. Pre-test state anxiety was positively associated with both trait anxiety and test anxiety. The findings suggest that test anxiety is unlikely to affect grades, but test-anxious students need more control over academic evaluation. A choice in test format could be helpful in this regard.