An Investigation of the Relationship Between Motivation, Test Preparation and Test Performance

The relationship between motivation, test preparation, and test performance was investigated using two samples, lire fighter applicants and college students. Motivation and test preparation were measured by Arvey and Stickland\u27s (1991) Test Attitude Survey; test performance consisted of selection test scores or class examinations. The results indicated that the relationship between motivation, test preparation, and test performance varied depending on the sample (i.e., fire fighter applicants or college students) and the context (i.e., written or Physical Ability Test, class exam, or final examination). The results for fire fighters indicated that motivation was related to written test performance but not to performance on the Physical Ability Test, and that test preparation was related to performance on the Physical Ability Test but not on the written test. The results for the students revealed a significant, negative relationship between test preparation and test performance, suggesting that cramming for the test was not related to improved test performance