Impact of Academic Stress and Anxiety on Academic Achievement among IXth and Xth Grade School Students of Ranchi Town

Academic stress and anxiety have become two of the most important psychological concerns affecting secondary school students. Students in Classes IX and X experience increasing academic demands due to examinations, parental expectations, competition, homework, and career-related concerns. Excessive academic stress and anxiety may negatively influence students’ concentration, motivation, emotional well-being, and overall academic achievement. Understanding the relationship among these variables is essential for developing effective educational and psychological interventions. The present study aims to examine the impact of academic stress and anxiety on academic achievement among IX^th and X^th Grade school students of Ranchi Town. A quantitative co relational research design is proposed for the study. The sample will consist of 120 students selected through stratified random sampling from government and private secondary schools in Ranchi Town. Academic stress will be assessed using the Academic Stress Scale developed by Rajendran and Kaliappan, anxiety will be measured using Sinha’s Comprehensive Anxiety Test (SCAT) developed by A. K. P. Sinha and L. N. K. Sinha, and academic achievement will be assessed through students’ annual examination marks obtained from official school records. The collected data will be analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Mean, Standard Deviation, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation, Independent Samples t-test, and Multiple Regression Analysis. The findings are expected to demonstrate that higher levels of academic stress and anxiety are associated with lower academic achievement. The study is expected to provide useful insights for psychologists, counselors, teachers, school administrators, and parents in developing evidence-based strategies to promote students’ mental health and improve academic performance.