Gürkan Özden, Sevim Dolu, Ahmet Ceviz
Abstract The present study investigated the impact of a web-based Digital Clinical Oriented Reasoning Exam (CORE) system on nursing students' scores, time management, stress and anxiety, in comparison with a paper-based CORE system. The study was conducted in eastern Turkey. The objective of this study is to examine the impact of a web-based Digital CORE system in comparison to the conventional paper-based CORE system on nursing students' examination scores, time management, stress levels and anxiety. A quasi-experimental design was employed from May to July 2024, involving two groups of eight fourth-year internship students. The experimental group was provided with the digital CORE system, while the control group was given the paper-based version. The assessment of outcomes encompassed various parameters, including test scores, completion times, stress levels, and anxiety ratings, employing a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The results indicated that students who utilised the digital CORE system exhibited significantly lower levels of stress, higher scores, and faster exam completion times in comparison to the control group. Anxiety levels, however, were found to be similar across both groups. The Digital CORE system has been demonstrated to enhance academic performance, reduce stress, and shorten exam duration. Future studies should explore long-term effects and strategies to reduce exam tension further.