What if the computer crashes? Findings from an exploratory factor analysis on stressors in online exams

Abstract

The pandemic has forced higher education to shift from onsite to online environments. This novel situation may increase students’ exam stress and induce new stressors. In the present study, we identified stressors in online exams by conducting an exploratory factor analysis of a novel questionnaire. The analysis revealed five factors that categorize students’ experience of stress. Preliminary descriptive results suggest that possible system failures and social pressures cause the highest stress for students.