Abstract
Purpose of the study. To investigate the level of academic stress among Taif University medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine its sources. Also, to declare the difference between male and female students in this concern.
Methods. The current study was conducted at Taif University, from January 15 to March 1, 2021. The target population was undergraduate medical students. The Perception of Academic Stress Scale (PAS) was the used tool to evaluate academic stress and its sources. Four-hundred thirty-three students participated in the study, 177 (39.9%) males and 256 (60.1%) females.
Results. The total score of PAS indicated mild to moderate stress. Perceptions of workload were the highest significant source of stress (moderate to severe). Pressure to perform and time restraints were the second sources of stress with a non-significant difference between them, while they resulted in significantly higher stress than the academic self-perception which demonstrated the lowest level of stress. There were non-significant differences between males and females in all four domains and the total score.
Conclusion. Taif University medical students have mild to moderate academic stress. Perception of workload represents the main source of stress. There was no significant difference between the male and female sections.

Key words:
Academic stress, medical students, COVID-19