TEST ANXIETY AS A PREDICTOR OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN KOGI STATE

Academic dishonesty is a critical educational concern across all educational levels in the world. The trend is pervasive among higher education students and undermines human and national developments. This study examined academic dishonesty among students in tertiary institutions in Kogi State, Nigeria, based on their subjective test anxiety. One hundred and thirty-seven undergraduates participated in the study. The students were approached between July and September 2021, and they completed self-report measures of the Cognitive Test Anxiety Scale and the Academic Dishonesty Scale. The data were analyzed using a simple linear regression model. The finding revealed that test anxiety accounted for 56.2% of the variation in academic dishonesty. Our result supports literature indicating a link between test anxiety and academic dishonesty among higher education students. We recommend that a simulation exercise is vital in preparing students for assessments.