Perceived fear appeals and examination performance: Facilitating or debilitating outcomes?

This study examines whether students' perception of classroom fear appeals concerning a forthcoming high-stakes examination are associated with facilitating or debilitating performance outcomes. Self-report data were collected for perceived fear appeals, test anxiety and achievement goals from a sample of 273 students in their final year of secondary schooling along with their examination performance in a high-stakes Mathematics examination. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling and a mediated model accepted. The perceived frequency of fear appeals relating to the timing of examinations were positively related to examination performance through a mastery-approach goal and when fear appeals were perceived as threatening they were inversely related to examination performance through a performance-avoidance goal and both the worry and tension components of test anxiety. Given that perceived fear appeals are associated with mixed outcomes, teachers and educators should be advised to use fear appeals with caution.

Research Highlights
► Perceived classroom fear appeals are associated with mixed performance outcomes.
► Test anxiety and achievement goals are mediators of this relationship.
► A critical factor is whether fear appeals are appraised as threatening.