Standardized testing increases stress and test anxiety in students.

Is it true that standardized testing increases stress and test anxiety in students?

Partly. Several sources partially support the claim: a reference article notes 10-40% of students experience test anxiety that applies to standardized tests, a 2005 review reports anecdotal cases of illness, anxiety and stress attributed to standardized exams, and a 2021 study examines physiological stress during high-stakes testing weeks. Against this, one 2001 study of 283 fourth graders found the vast majority showed no stress and positive attitudes toward standardized testing.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 4 sources for, 2 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Standardized test. (n.d.). en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standardized_test

W., M. S., V., C. J., & Denise, L. (2001). Impact of Accountability and School Testing on Students: Is There Evidence of Anxiety?. eric.ed.gov. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED460155

A., H. J., K., A. E., L., D. J., N., F. D., & Jonathan, M. (2021). Testing, Stress, and Performance: How Students Respond Physiologically to High-Stakes Testing. eric.ed.gov. https://doi.org/10.1162/edfp_a_00306

W., M. S., E., S. C., & Gary, R. (2005). Test Anxiety: A Multifaceted Study on the Perceptions of Teachers, Principals, Counselors, Students, and Parents. eric.ed.gov. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327574ijt0501_4

Test anxiety and a high-stakes standardized reading comprehension test: A behavioral genetics perspective - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.13110/merrpalmquar1982.62.3.0233

ERIC (2001). ERIC ED460155: Impact of Accountability and School Testing on Students: Is There Evidence of Anxiety?. archive.org. https://archive.org/details/ERIC_ED460155