Examining primary school 7th grade students? process of preparation for the placement test from the aspect of various variables (The case in Nevşehir)

Purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the various variables which influence the scores of Placement Test, Year-end Achievement and Year-end Mathematics Achievement scores of 7th grade students who took the Placement Test in 2008-2009 academic year.Research universe consists of all 8th grade students who are receiving education in Nevşehir during 2009-2010 academic year while the sample of the study consists of all 8th grade students from 12 school selected from the central area. The research was conducted with 692 students.A survey containing 16 questions was applied by the researcher in order to have personal information about students and the information relating the academic achievements of the students was obtained from school administrations.Casual comparison method, one of the relational research methods, was employed in this study. Statistical techniques were utilized and tabulation was used for the evaluation of data. When students? Placement Test scores and their answers given in survey form were evaluated, we came to the conclusion that there is a significant difference on behalf of students who received additional support compared to those who did not receive additional support in terms of Placement Test scores (PT), Year-End Achievement Scores (YAS) and Year-End Mathematics Achievement Scores (Mat YAS). When achievements of female and male students were compared, there is no significant difference between their PT scores while there is a significant difference on behalf of female students between their YAS and Mat YAS scores. Considering the educational levels of parents, it was observed that as the educational levels of parent increase, PT, YAS, and Mat YAS scores of students increase as well. Besides, we conducted examinations relating the achievements of students going to state school and students going to private students.Key Words: Placement Test, Year-End Achievement Score, Year-End Mathematics Achievement Score, Students Receiving Additional Support