Examining test anxiety in terms of academic expectations stress and motivation to study

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the exam anxiety level of middle school students, their academic expectations stress, and level of motivation to study lesson. The study group consisted of 364 (184 female and 180 male) 7th and 8th grade secondary school students. Three instruments were used for data collection; Academic Expectations Stress Inventory, Motivation to Study for Adolescences Scale and Exam Anxiety Scale. Exam anxiety was chosen as dependent variable while academic expectations stress and motivation to study lesson were set as independent variables. In the current study, the relationship between variables was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient and whether independent variables predict dependent variable or not was tested by multiple regression analysis. As a result of correlational analysis, a positive and significant relationship was observed between teacher/parental expectations, self-expectations, amotivation and exam anxiety. On the other hand, intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation were not associated with exam anxiety. As a result of regression analysis, it was concluded that family/teacher expectations, self-expectations, amotivation, and extrinsic motivation significantly predicted exam anxiety.