Published Paper Details:

Abstract: Senior secondary school students' academic performance is significantly hampered by test anxiety, especially in high-stakes educational systems like India's. This study examines whether and to what degree students in Classes XI and XII experience gender-based disparities in test anxiety. Using purposive sampling, a sample of 120 students--60 males and 60 females--was chosen from urban senior secondary schools in Odisha. Spielberger's Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI), created in 1980, was used to gauge cognitive and affective reactions to test stress. To compare the mean test anxiety scores of male and female students, an independent samples t-test was used. A statistically significant difference was found in the study, showing that female students had much greater levels of test anxiety than their male counterparts (p <.01). These results highlight the necessity of gender-sensitive mental health and academic counselling programs in schools. For educators, psychologists, and policymakers seeking to enhance student well-being and educational outcomes, the study provides valuable insights and contributes to the growing body of research on academic stress.