Investigation of Perfectionism and Test Anxiety Among Pre-University Science Students in Ogun State

Perfectionism in academic contexts has a dual nature, with adaptive dimensions linked to academic achievement and maladaptive dimensions associated with debilitating anxiety, and understanding this dynamic in Nigerian pre-university students has practical implications for counselling. This study investigated the relationship between perfectionism and test anxiety among pre-university science students in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A correlational survey was conducted among 250 science students in pre-university (remedial) programmes at three polytechnics and one college of education in Abeokuta and Sagamu using purposive sampling. The Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and the Test Anxiety Inventory were administered. Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression analysis were applied. Results showed that maladaptive perfectionism dimensions (concern over mistakes and doubts about actions) were significantly positively correlated with test anxiety (r = 0.63, p < 0.001 and r = 0.57, p < 0.001 respectively). Adaptive perfectionism (personal standards and organisation) was not significantly related to test anxiety. Maladaptive perfectionism explained 39.7 percent of variance in total test anxiety scores after controlling for gender and age. Female students showed significantly higher concern over mistakes scores than males. The study recommends cognitive restructuring and perfectionism management as components of academic counselling for science students, specifically targeting maladaptive self-evaluation patterns through structured counsellor-delivered group sessions in Ogun State pre-university programmes. Keywords: perfectionism, test anxiety, pre-university students, Ogun State, academic counselling