Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between test anxiety, fear of
negative evaluation, competence expectancy, and perceived helicopter parental
attitude, as well as to identify the influence of these variables on test anxiety among
students preparing for the university entrance exam. To achieve this aim, the study was
conducted with 11th and 12th grade students attending secondary schools and also
graduates in Kocaeli province during the 2023–2024 academic year. The sample
consisted of 402 students, including 256 girls and 146 boys. Data were collected using
the Personal Information Form, Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI), Perceived Helicopter
Parental Attitude Scale (HPAS), Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale (FNE), and
Questionnaire for Measuring Self-efficacy Expectation in Youths. These scales were
administered to participants in face-to-face sessions. Data analysis was carried out
using SPSS 29 program. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the
relationships between the variables, while multiple linear regression analysis was used
to assess the predictive roles of fear of negative evaluation, competence expectancy,
and perceived helicopter parental attitude on test anxiety. The findings revealed a
significant positive correlation between test anxiety and both helicopter parental
attitude and fear of negative evaluation, whereas a significant negative correlation was
found between test anxiety and competence expectancy. The regression analysis
showed that perceived helicopter mother attitude, fear of negative evaluation, and
competence expectancy were significant predictors of test anxiety. However, the effect
of perceived helicopter father attitude on test anxiety was not significant. Together, the
predictor variables accounted for 27% of the variance in test anxiety. In the final section
of the study, the results were discussed in the light of the findings and
recommendations were presented.
