Investigation of the factors affecting the level of anxiety experienced by fine arts high school students during the admission exam to Higher Education Institutions (YKS)

This study examines the test anxiety levels of final year students of fine arts high schools in cities located in seven geographical regions of Turkey (Istanbul, Ankara, Balıkesir, Mersin, Diyarbakır, Samsun and Van) towards the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) and the factors affecting this anxiety. The anxieties of senior students of Fine Arts High Schools (GSL) about the university exams were evaluated and various suggestions were tried to be developed in this direction. It is known that the failure of senior students of Fine Arts High Schools (GSL) to reach the expected level of success in university exams is based on multifaceted factors. In this context, the data, which constitute the focal point of the research, aim to create a scientific basis by revealing the students' anxieties towards these exams with a quantitative study. Based on the data obtained, it is important to focus on the underlying causes of GSL final year students' anxiety while evaluating their anxiety in university exams. It is suggested that exam preparation processes and similar factors may increase students' anxiety levels and negatively affect their academic achievement. In this framework, the findings of the study aim to contribute to the development of recommendations by providing a more comprehensive view of GSL final year students' anxiety towards university exams. According to the results of the questionnaire, the highest mean of 3.52 was found in the responses to the question 'I physically panic when taking really important exams', while the lowest mean was found in the question 'If I fail, people will doubt my ability'. The overall mean of the scale was 3.33 and the standard deviation was 0.86. These results show that GSL students experience moderate level of anxiety. The study evaluated the relationship between students' test anxiety and academic achievement and whether test anxiety differs according to variables such as gender, parental education, number of siblings, and study environment. The test anxiety levels of GSL Music Department students were analysed according to the importance they attach to the university entrance exam, having their own rooms, attending a private course, taking private lessons, feeling happy at home, the number of people living at home, gender variable, monthly income, mother and father's education level. According to the results of the research, it was determined that most of the high school students had their own rooms. It was observed that students who had their own study areas had less test anxiety. In addition, it was determined that the anxiety levels of the students who had their own rooms were also low. The majority of students continue their education by taking private lessons. Some students both receive classroom education and prepare for exams with private lessons. It was observed that students who did not receive private tuition had higher levels of anxiety and worry about the TYT exam. It has been observed that exam anxiety is higher in students under family pressure and these students are more inclined to see the future and exams as a threat. When the students' happiness at home was analysed, it was found that 52.35% of the students felt happy at home.