The Effect of Anxiety on Assessment Center Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect that anxiety has on performance in an assessment center. The relationships between participant self-reported anticipated anxiety and assessment center performance was assessed, in addition to analyzing if assessors can perceive participant anxiety, and what effect this may have on overall performance scores. The study used the data of 378 undergraduate students who participated in an assessment center as a course requirement. Prior to the assessment center, participants completed a measure of self-reported anticipated anxiety towards the upcoming assessment center, as well as several demographic questions. While the anticipated curvilinear relationship between participant self-reported anticipated anxiety and performance was not found, a significant negative, linear relationship emerged, indicating that as participants’ reported higher levels of anxiety, overall performance in the assessment center was lower. Another significant finding indicated that assessors were able to perceive participants’ anxiety and rated them lower on overall performance when anxiety was perceived. Additional findings are also discussed.