Group Desensitization of Test Anxiety

Following an orientation session in which test-anxious students were instructed in the theory and method of desensitization, eighteen ISU under-graduates applied for a desensitization and counseling program for test-taking anxiety. All students committed themselves to attend seven weekly meetings and to practice daily the relaxation exercises at home. Nine of these eighteen subjects were assigned to the treatment group and nine to the wait-list control group on the basis of a free class hour at program time. Treatment consisted of seven desensitization and counseling sessions. The treatment and control groups did not differ significantly in initial Grade Point Average or scores on the A.C.T. Test. Both groups improved G.P.A. the program quarter. But only the treatment group demonstrated a statistically significant improvement. (p \u3c .05) It is concluded that group desensitization in this seven-session model is an effective and efficient technique to modify anxiety responses to test taking-situations