Abstract
The research explored efficacy expectations and task value in engineering and science college students, focusing on motivation towards mathematics. Efficacy expectations, achievement value, intrinsic value, utility and cost of tasks were assessed using a scale adapted from Safavian (2019). Achievement motivation in mathematics was analyzed from a quantitative correlational perspective. The research design is ex post facto, meaning that the variables have already been manifested and are not directly manipulated. Cognitive interviews were conducted with 10 calculus students at the University of Costa Rica to validate the scale, verifying the understanding of the items. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed four main factors: efficacy expectations, intrinsic value, utility and cost. Promax rotation allowed analyzing the factor loadings. The study identified that achievement value is closely related to utility value, suggesting that a high utility value positively influences academic achievement. Some questions from the scale were removed to improve the accuracy of the results. Finally, the analysis showed that intrinsic value, utility and cost factors are the key components for measuring motivation in mathematics students, highlighting the importance of these factors in their academic performance.