Adolescent Anxiety Caused by University Entrance Examinations

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the source and extent of anxiety suffered by those taking the university entrance examinations. The data was collected using the “Scale for Anxiety Resources for the University Entrance Examination", which was developed for this purpose. The scale consists of 22 items. It was administered to the students of the Mathematics-Science branch of a private high school in Ankara. The population consisted of 158 students and the results placed 0,29 of the group at the high anxiety level, 0,33 of the group at the low anxiety level, and 0,38 of the group at the anxiety-free level. Correlation between the data obtained through the scale and the “Student Selection Examination" (ÖSS) grades was also examined. The fact that most of the students obtained high grades in the ÖSS even though they presented a low level of anxiety in respect of the items on the scale is taken as an indication of this correspondence.