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Abstract

The present study explored the perceptions of students on their academic performance in English essay writing paper. A sample involving high and low achievers of MA English was chosen from National University of Modern Languages (NUML) Islamabad. The study incorporated the Three Dimensional model of Attribution Theory as its theoretical framework. It employed a questionnaire as research tool to collect the required data. SPSS version 21.0 was used to interpret the responses put forth by the sample. Inferential statistics, involving t-test, was used to interpret data in statistical terms. The research focused on effort, ability, task difficulty and luck as factors that affect the performance of students in examination. Essay writing paper in mid-semester examination was selected for the study. The results revealed that the high achievers attributed effort expenditure and linguistic ability to their high score whereas the low achievers associated lack of effort expenditure and deficient linguistic ability with their low score. The present study is significant for students as it highlight the perceptions of the students about attributes affecting their performance in examination. The students can maintain or improve their performance only if they hold correct opinions about factors affecting academic performance. The study is equally useful for teachers, particularly newly appointed teachers, as it informs them how students interpret their academic performance and relate various factors with their success and failure.