Comparison of Self-efficacy, Test Anxiety and Competitiveness between Students of Top Private Schools and Public Schools

Abstract

This study compared the self-efficacy, test anxiety and competitiveness in top private1 and public2 high schools students by using Ex Post FactoResearch. The sample population consisted of 338 second grade math and physics high school students (172 males and 166 females) in Tehran, who were selected through Multi-stage cluster sampling.To measure the self-efficacy, it was used, Self-efficacy questionnaire for children (Muris, 2001), to measurethe test anxiety, it was used, Test anxiety inventory (Tai, 1992) and to measure the competitiveness it was used, Winning, mastery and performance questionnaire (Franken, 1994).The results showed that general self-efficacy, test anxiety and competitiveness were higher in TPS students (emotional and academic self-efficacy were higher and there was no significant difference for social self-efficacy). Compare to boys and girls, in terms of competitiveness and self-efficacy; boys earn higher scores and in test anxiety girls had higher grades (in terms of academic and social self-efficacy, there were no significant differences between them but in emotional self-efficacy boys were at a higher level). It can be said that: both strategies and management practices were efficient in self-efficacy, test anxiety and competitiveness of students and also the students are attracted to these schools that have these features more.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p2749