Each goal orientation may lead to both positive and negative learning behaviour. Mastery oriented students strive for competence development, increase of knowledge, and understanding, therefore it is not surprising that these students are often found to show a deep learning behaviour (Fennolar, Román, & Cuastas, 2007). These positive structural paths have been found by Fennolar et al. (2007) and Liem, Lau, and Nie (2008), namely that mastery goals facilitate a deep learning behaviour which leads to higher learning achievement. The relation between mastery orientation and surface learning is not as clear. Students with a mastery orientation might also show a high level of surface learning as part of their learning strategy if the assessment task that they will be given requires them to also to recall specific knowledge. However, this shallower approach of the learning material (i.e., the lack of studying to fully understand the learning material) is contradicting with a mastery orientation. Pintrich (2000) saw goal orientations in a broader sense, suggesting that learners are driven to similar outcomes by multiple goals simultaneously. The adoption of both mastery goals and performance-approach goals can also be beneficial to achieve desired outcomes.