Does a higher entrance difficulty mean the students are more motivated?
Not necessarily. Universities with more difficult entrance exams may attract students with strong academic preparation or clear goals, but entrance difficulty mainly reflects factors such as competition and the admissions format; it does not directly measure students’ motivation to study. Motivation differs according to each student’s interests, goals, and learning environment.
Key points
- Entrance difficulty and motivation to study are different measures.
- Even at a highly selective university, not every student will have the same level of motivation.
- Motivation is also shaped by personal interests and goals, as well as the learning environment after enrollment.
Things to check
- How entrance difficulty is assessed varies by university, faculty, admissions format, and academic year, so prospective students should check the institution’s official information about admissions and the learning environment.