Positive Affect-Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS): Influence on Exam Scores

Objectives: The aim of this educational study was to determine if there was a correlation between an individual's pre-exam mood state, as measured by the Positive Affect (PA) and Negative Affect (NA) Schedule (PANAS), and test scores achieved on two differing written multiple choice exams. The PANAS, which has shown excellent psychometric properties, is the most frequently used instrument to assess positive and negative affect in individuals. The PA scale of PANAS reflects the extent to which a person feels enthusiastic, excited, active, and determined, whereas the NA scale reflects subjective distress that subsumes a broad range of aversive affects including fear, nervousness, guilt, and shame.

Methods: In August 2006, the 240 new matriculating freshman students of the NYU College of Dentistry were invited to participate in this study. The study had a planned target size of 160 volunteers of which there was a final enrollment of 149 students. Participants were asked to complete the PANAS scale immediately prior to receiving a 50 minute video lecture about dental anatomy. After which they completed: 1) a 50 minute,100 question multiple choice exam on the material covered by the video; and 2) a twenty minute reading comprehension test, specifically a complex DAT (Dental Aptitude Test) type passage followed by 15 multiple choice questions.

Results: There were no statistically significant correlations between the PANAS scale (PA or NA components) and either the dental anatomy test scores or the DAT-style reading comprehension test scores although the correlation for PA with lower reading comprehension approached significance (r = -0.15, p = 0.07).

Conclusions: Neither the PA nor NA scales within the PANAS were significantly correlated with student's exam performances either on a content exam on newly learned material, or on general knowledge measured by a DAT-type reading comprehension exam.