Abstract
This paper presents YoungMind, a gamified digital application designed to assist Computer Science undergraduate students in practising anxiety-reduction techniques for managing test anxiety, particularly when they face programming tests. A pilot study involving 15 students was conducted to evaluate the application's effectiveness, assess the impact of its game elements, and explore its potential for supporting anxiety management. The study compared two groups: one using the gamified version and the other using a non-gamified version with identical content. Student feedback gathered through a user experience survey indicated that the gamified version was more engaging and facilitated easier learning and practice of anxiety-reduction skills, suggesting that YoungMind may offer benefits in helping students manage test anxiety.
Paper Type
Short Paper
DOI
10.62036/ISD.2025.134
A Gamified Application for Test Anxiety in Computer Science Education: A Pilot Study
This paper presents YoungMind, a gamified digital application designed to assist Computer Science undergraduate students in practising anxiety-reduction techniques for managing test anxiety, particularly when they face programming tests. A pilot study involving 15 students was conducted to evaluate the application's effectiveness, assess the impact of its game elements, and explore its potential for supporting anxiety management. The study compared two groups: one using the gamified version and the other using a non-gamified version with identical content. Student feedback gathered through a user experience survey indicated that the gamified version was more engaging and facilitated easier learning and practice of anxiety-reduction skills, suggesting that YoungMind may offer benefits in helping students manage test anxiety.
Recommended Citation
Pooliyadda, H., Morales-Trujillo, M. & Sotardi, V.A. (2025). A Gamified Application for Test Anxiety in Computer Science Education: A Pilot StudyIn I. Luković, S. Bjeladinović, B. Delibašić, D. Barać, N. Iivari, E. Insfran, M. Lang, H. Linger, & C. Schneider (Eds.), Empowering the Interdisciplinary Role of ISD in Addressing Contemporary Issues in Digital Transformation: How Data Science and Generative AI Contributes to ISD (ISD2025 Proceedings). Belgrade, Serbia: University of Gdańsk, Department of Business Informatics & University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences. ISBN: 978-83-972632-1-5. https://doi.org/10.62036/ISD.2025.134