Research Article

The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye

Volume: 55 Number: 2 August 31, 2026
TR EN

The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye

Abstract

The High School Entrance Exam (LGS), which is used for the transition to secondary education in Türkiye, plays a decisive role in students’ academic placement processes. It is frequently emphasized in the literature that such high-stakes, centralized examinations may increase students’ test anxiety. Therefore, students’ test anxiety are expected to be relatively higher. The demonstration of the positive effects of sports on attention and anxiety in many studies has led to an expectation that students who engage in sports will have lower levels of anxiety and higher levels of attention. This study was designed to examine the test anxiety and attention levels of students preparing for the LGS. This study, conducted using a quantitative research method, included a total of 320 students (140 female and 180 male) selected from private tutoring centers in Muş province who will take the LGS in 2025. The d2 Attention Test and the Test Anxiety Scale were used as data collection tools. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS 26, and parametric tests were applied in accordance with the results. According to the results of the study, it was determined that participation in sports had a positive effect on attention, while it increased test anxiety. It was found that male students were more successful in terms of sustaining attention and efficiency, whereas female students had higher levels of test anxiety and a greater tendency to make errors. In addition, it was observed that academically successful students also had higher levels of test anxiety. Overall, it was concluded that students who participated in sports had higher attention scores, lower error rates, and that there was a weak correlation between attention and anxiety.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research has not received any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

This research was approved by the Ethics Committee of Atatürk University with the decision dated 05.06.2024 and numbered 2024/6, under the document number E-70400699-050.02.04-2400204615. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. A “Voluntary Participation Form” was obtained from all participants and a “Parental Consent Form” was obtained from their parents.

Thanks

We would like to express our gratitude to the private tutoring institutions in the province of Muş, as well as to the students and parents who voluntarily participated in the study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychological Foundations of Education, Basic Training (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

August 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

June 23, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 55 Number: 2

APA
Ateş, F., Yılmaz, E., & Namlı, S. (2026). The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 55(2), 926-954. https://izlik.org/JA84GT56EJ
AMA
1.Ateş F, Yılmaz E, Namlı S. The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55(2):926-954. https://izlik.org/JA84GT56EJ
Chicago
Ateş, Fatih, Eda Yılmaz, and Sevinç Namlı. 2026. “The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 (2): 926-54. https://izlik.org/JA84GT56EJ.
EndNote
Ateş F, Yılmaz E, Namlı S (August 1, 2026) The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55 2 926–954.
IEEE
[1]F. Ateş, E. Yılmaz, and S. Namlı, “The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye”, Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 926–954, Aug. 2026, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA84GT56EJ
ISNAD
Ateş, Fatih - Yılmaz, Eda - Namlı, Sevinç. “The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi 55/2 (August 1, 2026): 926-954. https://izlik.org/JA84GT56EJ.
JAMA
1.Ateş F, Yılmaz E, Namlı S. The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi. 2026;55:926–954.
MLA
Ateş, Fatih, et al. “The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye”. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, vol. 55, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 926-54, https://izlik.org/JA84GT56EJ.
Vancouver
1.Fatih Ateş, Eda Yılmaz, Sevinç Namlı. The Effects of Sports Participation on High School Entrance Examination Candidates’ Attention Levels and Test Anxietye. Çukurova Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 1;55(2):926-54. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA84GT56EJ

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