A Study on the Self-Efficacy and Expectancy for Success of Pre-University Students
Pre-university students enrolled in a private university need high self-efficacy and expectancy for success to overcome problems associated with language requirements, course duration, assessments, and study skills. The purpose of the study was to examine the self-efficacy and expectancy for success of 105 pre-university engineering and business students from a private university in Sarawak. Self-efficacy was assessed by General SelfEfficacy Scale, while expectancy for success by Generalized Expectancy for Success Scale. A three-way analysis of variance revealed no significant group, gender, or age differences in self-efficacy. Findings showed that pre-university engineering and business students tended to have more similarities rather than differences in their self-efficacy. Significant group differences were found in three aspects of expectancy for success: Success in projects undertaken, ability to solve own problems, and success in personal life. Findings reflected that engineering students had higher expectancy for success in terms of doing projects, solving problems, and attaining personal success than business students. Significant age differences were found in expectancy for success in five aspects. Results indicated that older students had more favorable expectancy for success than younger students. Students might become increasingly more optimistic and confident with the passage of time, partly due to greater exposure toward learning and significant life experiences. Items with high percentages of agreement were also recorded for both scales. Implications and recommendations were made based on significant differences and items that had high percentages of agreement.