The Role of Motivational Strategies in Prediction of Grade Point Average Among Students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

Motivational strategies are important determinants in students’ academic achievement.

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of motivational strategies in prediction of grade point average (GPA) among university students.

This analytical cross-sectional study recruited 300 students of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Sampling was done by simple random sampling with probability proportional to size in each faculty. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire including the motivational strategies components, GPA status, and background variable. Data were analyzed in SPSS-16 using Pearson’s correlation and linear regression.

The participants’ age ranged 18 to 29 with a mean of 21.08 ± 1.26 years. GPA was significantly associated with the motivational strategies (r = 0.137 and P = 0.026). The motivational strategies components accounted for 9% of the variation in the outcome measure of the GPA. Extrinsic goal orientations (beta = 0.279 and P < 0.001) and test anxiety (beta = -0.287 and P < 0.001) were the best predictors of GPA.

Based on our results, planning educational programs to increase extrinsic goal orientation and reduce the test anxiety may be enhancing GPA among university students.