Overcoming methods of university applicants against exam stress regarding various exam types

The aim of this study is to examine the students' overcoming methods against exam stress by analyzing different types of examinations like Special Talent Test and Examination of Higher Education Institutions (YKS) in Ağrı province. Several demographic variables were examined in this study. In the study, survey model, which is one of the empirical (observation based) research models, and is frequently used in the field of education and sports science was used. The universe of the study consists of last grade high school students and graduate students who study in Ağrı city center. The sampling of the study has total 353 university applicants and two main groups who prepare for exams in 2017-2018 period: First group consists of special talent tests takers who prepare for painting training, music training and physical education and sports high schools). This group consists of 108 males, 74 females and total 182 applicants. Second group consists of 95 males and 73 females and total 168 members who prepare for YKS exam. "Personal Information Form" which was developed by researcher and "Coping Styles Against Stress" scale of Lazarus and Folkman (1987) and adapted to Turkish by Şahin and Durak (1995) were used as data collection tools in this study. In the analysis of data, samples of descriptive statistics like frequency, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, t test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. Also multiple comparison tests like Scheffe, Gabriel, Tamhane and Dunnetsels C. were used. The significance level was determined as 0.05. Results of the research regarding demographic variables reveals; there are significant differences according to gender, there are significant differences in coping methods with stress according to exam types, there are significant differences regarding parents' education levels. When the income level, weekly working hour(s), place of residence and parent interest are examined; the methods of coping with stress differs significantly either. Key words: university exam, special ability, stress, sport, coping with stress