An Analysis of Learners’ Self-Assessments in Comparison With Their Actual Performances in the Subject of Economics

Abstract

This study compares vocational college learners’ selfassessments of their abilities and their performances with their actual examination results. Until now, the ability to self-assess has principally only been addressed in the primary school sector. However, it is of central importance specifically in the vocational college sector, where the focus is on career choice. We hypothesize that 1. Students with a lower level of education self-assess themselves more incorrectly or they overestimate their abili-ties and that 2. Female students self-assess themselves more realistically than male students do. Our hypotheses are tested and confirmed in different vocational colleges and classes. This study, then, is an important first contribution to indicating the risk of an inappropriate career choice particularly for weaker students. Furthermore, our study can provide a starting point for examining whether the focus on support and assistance for female students in their career choices mean that appropriate measures in the planning of school and educational careers for male students have been neglected.