Poor Examination Condition
Mathematics tests/examinations place with a set time for the examination, it has duration. In some
mathematical courses that are ascribed as faculty course(s), because of the large number of students involved,
approved lecture halls for such examinations are under-size, movement from one vacant place to another causes
anxiety, and it could lead to the possibility of failure. Mathematics should be shifted from hot afternoons to late
evenings to reduce tension and anxiety among the examinees. According to Groundlund (1985), the guiding
principle in administering any classroom test was that all pupils must be given a fair chance to demonstrate
their achievement of the learning outcomes being measured. This implies that the test maker and administrator
should provide the physical and psychological environments that are conducive to the testees/examinees, and
also control factors that might otherwise interfere with valid measurement include adequate space (room or hall)
with comfortable seats and proper lighting and ventilation. The temperature should be comfortable and the
entire environment should be quite to foster concentration. The psychological environment is equally very
important, students may not be at their best if they are under severe tension, anxiety, or threat during
examination. Groundlund (1985) further advised that examiners and test administrators should not
over-emphasize or dramatise the importance of test and the consequences of good/poor performance while the
examination is going on, as these may add to tension or anxiety in testees/examinees. As mentioned earlier, too
much tension or anxiety in students during examination leads to poor academic performance.