“How will I manage”? The perception of students and their expectations before an exam

This study explores university students’ self-perception regarding their preparation and expectations for grades compared to the results obtained in an exam. Involving 134 freshmen from a bachelor's degree program, the survey compared students' predictions about their grades with those they actually achieved. The results highlighted a significant discrepancy between expectations and performance, with many students tending to overestimate their own preparation, especially those with unsatisfactory results. The analysis also revealed a relationship between the type of secondary school attended and grade expectations, with students from technical and vocational schools often having higher expectations compared to those from high schools. The study suggests that a lack of familiarity with university evaluation methods and the effects of previous school socialization could influence students’ perceptions.