A socio - psychological study of the reasons for the high stress level among Advanced Level students in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The advanced level (A/L) examination is the university entrance selection examination in Sri Lanka. From an educationalist?s point of view this examination is the most competitive examination in Sri Lanka. Therefore it is a stressful life event for the students who face this exam. Because of this, it affects their mental, physical and social health. The objective of this study is to examine the stress level and stress factors of A/L students. For this purpose 108 advanced level students were selected. Data was collected by using a questionnaire and interviews. This is a qualitative and quantitative research. The study shows that higher percentage of A/L students suffer from a developing stress level. The competition of the examination is the major reason for this; moreover, social problems also help to increase the stress level among them. The basic factor to develop the competition of this examination among the students is the limitation of the university entrance opportunities in Sri Lanka. A/L students use various methods to release stress that they feel.