<![CDATA[This study aims to determine: (1) the description of students' academic self-efficacy at SMKN 6 Makassar; (2) the description of the application of direct modeling techniques in improving students' academic self-efficacy; and (3) the effect of applying direct modeling techniques on improving students' academic self-efficacy at SMKN 6 Makassar. This study used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design using a nonequivalent control group design. The research population was grade X students at SMKN 6 Makassar who had low academic self-efficacy, totaling 66 students. The research sample consisted of 18 students selected using proportional random sampling technique and divided into two groups: 9 students in the experimental group and 9 students in the control group. Data collection techniques used academic self-efficacy scale and observation. Data analysis techniques used descriptive statistics and inferential statistics with Mann-Whitney U test. The results showed that: (1) the level of students' academic self-efficacy before treatment was in the low category (100%) in both groups, while after treatment, the experimental group experienced a significant increase with 77.78% of students in the high category and 22.22% in the very high category, while the control group remained in the low category (100%); (2) the implementation of direct modeling techniques was carried out through six group counseling sessions covering the stages of attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation with very high student participation levels (80%-100%) in each session; and (3) there was a significant effect of applying direct modeling techniques on improving students' academic self-efficacy, evidenced by the Asymp. Sig value = 0.000 (p < 0.05) and Mean Rank of the experimental group (14.00) which was much higher than the control group (5.00).]]>
