Influence of Anxiety and Inferiority Complex on Examination Malpractice among Secondary School Students in Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of examination malpractice on anxiety and inferiority complex among secondary school students in Ankpa and Olamaboro local government areas of Kogi state. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The survey design was adopted for the study. A sample of 322 respondents from a total population of 3,218 students was selected for the study using Nworgu (1991) 16% representative sample size formula. A structured 10-items four point rating type scale questionnaire titled “Anxiety and Inferiority Complex on Examination Malpractice among students questionnaire (AIEMSQ) was constructed by the researcher and used to collect data for the study. Data obtained for the study were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while chi-square (c²) was used to test the hypotheses. The null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed that students do significantly perceive the influence of anxiety and inferiority complex on examination malpractice. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations are made such as setting up counseling units to assist in giving regular talks individually or in groups on expected behavior before and during examinations to help sensitize the students to reduce phobia, anxiety and tension usually associated with examination.