Investigating the Impact of Game-Based Assessment on Exam Anxiety Among Third-Grade Students in Mathematics

This study investigated the effectiveness of game-based assessment in mitigating test anxiety among third-grade students in mathematics. Employing a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design, the research involved 60 male students aged 8–9, who were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in three 10-minute sessions of game-based assessments using the "Fun Math Facts: Games for Kids" tool over three weeks, while the control group underwent traditional paper-based assessments. Anxiety levels were measured using the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) administered before and after the intervention. The results indicated a significant reduction in test anxiety and a marked increase in engagement among students in the experimental group compared to their counterparts in the control group. These findings underscore the potential of game-based assessment as an innovative strategy to alleviate test-related anxiety and foster an engaging and supportive learning environment, advocating for its integration into educational practices to enhance student outcomes.