Abstract
Thirty‐nine undergraduate students were investigated to determine the effects of examination stress on self‐reported physical symptoms and sensations. Testing was undertaken six weeks prior to a final examination (phase I), immediately after the written part of the examination was over (phase II), and 12–14 days afterwards, but before an oral examination (phase III). The results showed that examination stress was associated with an increase in state anxiety and self‐reported physical symptoms with the exception of heart‐complaints which showed a gradual decline over the three experimental phases. In phase III, all symptom measures showed a reduction below baseline levels and below the control group's levels. Correlation analyses revealed that symptom scores were associated with variables reflecting psychological vulnerability (e.g. Recent stress and Neuroticism) and dysphoric affect, especially anxiety. The results are discussed in light of theories of attribution, attentional focusing and phychophysiological activation.
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