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ERIC Number: EJ1038771
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1303-0485
EISSN: N/A
The Predictors of Success in Turkish High School Placement Exams: Exam Prep Courses, Perfectionism, Parental Attitudes and Test Anxiety
Basol, Gülsah; Zabun, Engin
Educational Sciences: Theory and Practice, v14 n1 p78-87 2014
The purpose of the current study is to determine to what extent the following four variables explain K-8 students' SBS success levels; these variables being attendance to private SBS preperation courses, multidimensional perfectionism, parental attitude types, and test anxiety. SBS is a nationwide, high stake, high school placement test taken by middle school students in the Turkish education system since the 2007-2008 school year. The sample of this study consists of 460 cluster sampled 8th grade students, of which 257 are girls and 203 are boys all from the city center of the province of Tokat, Turkey. The Multi-dimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS), Parental Attitude Type Scale, Westside Test Anxiety Scale, and a personal information sheet were used to collect data which was then analyzed using hierarchical linear regression, independent group t tests and chi square tests. According to the findings, the most effective variable in determining a student's level of success is attendance to private preperation courses. Other significant predictors of success on the SBS are the espousal of a perfectionist attitude by parents and a student's level of test anxiety. Moreover, the most effective factor influencing SBS scores of students who do not attend preperation courses is his parents' adoption of an authoritarian attitude. While the "Order" dimension of the MPS and "test anxiety" were negative predictors of students' success on the SBS, "responsibility-centered parents' attitude" was positively related to the students' scores. "Doubt from behaviors" was the most effective negative predictor explaining the SBS scores of students who did not attend private SBS preperation courses. The findings of the study suggest that as one's income level increases, so does the duration of time spent attending SBS prep courses, and this increased level of success can also be attributed to effective parent involvement in students' lives. However, family's income stands as a definite medium, explaining students' SBS success. As a result of the current study, SBS preperation courses has been found to be the most defining factor in students' SBS scores. According to the findings, students' success on large scale tests are mainly affected by extracurricular activities, such as courses or private lessons.
Educational Consultancy, Ltd (EDAM). Kisikli Mh. Alemdag Cd. Yan Yol Sk., SBK Is Merkezi No:5 Kat:1, Uskudar-Istanbul, 34692 Turkey. Tel: +90-216-481-30-23; Fax: +90-216-481-31-36; e-mail: editor@edam.com.tr; Web site: http://www.edam.com.tr/estp.asp
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Middle Schools; Junior High Schools; Grade 6; Intermediate Grades; Elementary Education; Grade 7
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Turkey
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A