Motivational messages from teachers before exams: Links to intrinsic motivation, engagement, and academic performance

Abstract

This mixed-method study explored teachers' motivational messages before exams and their impact on students' intrinsic motivation, engagement, and academic performance. High school students in Spain (N = 419) completed questionnaires on motivation and engagement and described teachers' motivational messages. Messages encouraging effort and capability were the most reported, followed by reassuring messages. Serial mediations showed a positive link between reassuring messages and academic performance via intrinsic motivation and engagement, while lack of messages had a negative effect. No moderation effect of gender was found. These findings underscore the importance of reassuring messages during exam periods.