This study analyzed the interactive aspects of 12th grade students\' mathematical beliefs, and
their mathematical achievement in the College Scholastic Ability Test. To achieve this,
cross-tabulations, frequency analysis, and regression analysis were performed after a thorough
review of mathematical belief literature.
It was found that there were significant differences between student mathematical
achievement and their degree of belief in understanding the mathematical contents. Students
believed that they understood the concepts and had the skill to solve problems on inequality,
sequences, limits, and continuity of functions. Frequently, however, there were unsuccessful
with these items. Because they had already experienced failure in solving these items, including
more complex concepts, they thought, \"I can not solve the problem,\" and gave up easily during
the exam. Although students remembered the basic concepts and the problem solving
strategies, they gave up easily if it took more than three minutes to solve the problem. The
results of this study could play a fundamental role in developing research in the affective
domain; it may provide more harmony in mathematical achievement.