On the role of Attitudes and Motivation in students’ performance in Iranian university entrance exam

The Iranian University Entrance Exam, Konkoor, is a nation-wide exam used as the criteria to enter higher education in Iran. This exam includes almost all subjects of high school, including English language. This study investigates the effect of Iranian students’ attitudes toward learning English and motivations for learning English on their performance in Konkoor . The sample of the study included of 383 male and female students of four high schools in Dehloran west of Iran. A correlational research was designed and Attitude/Motivation Test Battery , AMTB, was adapted as instrument of the study. Results showed that female students were more motivated than males, and their attitude toward learning English was also more positive. The study also showed that junior students of high school are more motivated than seniors. No significant difference was found between high school students in motivational orientations and they all had positive attitude toward learning English as a foreign language. Finding, thus, supports the need to motivate students to have a better performance in Konkoor and other educational objectives.

Keywords:

motivation , attitude , Learning English , Konkoor