Cognitive and Physical Aspects of Test Anxiety

Abstract

Test anxiety significantly affects students' academic performance and mental well-being, yet a psychometrically validated Arabic version of the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) for African contexts has been lacking. This study examined the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the Arabic TAI among 578 Moroccan preparatory school students (aged 12–17) from Sidi Boumedine School in Séfrou. The scale was translated using a forward–backward procedure and analyzed through Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses, Pearson correlations, and reliability testing. Results supported a two-factor structure reflecting cognitive anxiety and physical symptoms, yielding a refined 19-item scale. The model demonstrated good fit (GFI = 0.964; SRMR = 0.063), excellent internal consistency (α = 0.912; ω = 0.914), and a strong correlation between factors (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). These findings confirm the Arabic TAI as a valid and reliable tool for assessing test anxiety among Moroccan students and represent the first psychometric validation of this measure in an African educational context.