Passage :

The addition of second electron to the anion is more difficult and energy is needed to overcome the repulsion forces between negatively charged atomic sphere and the valence electron.  This energy being greater than energy released during gaining up of electron, i.e., why higher EA Values ${\text{(EA}}_{\text{2}}{\text{,EA}}_{\text{3}}\text{)}$ are Endoergic nature.

${\text{A}}^{-}\text{(g)}+{\text{e}}^{-}{\text{A}}^{\text{2}}\text{(g)}\stackrel{+\text{e}}{\to }{\text{A}}^{3-}\left(\text{g}\right)$

${\Delta }_{eg}{\text{H=+EA}}_2{\Delta }_{eg}{\text{H=EA}}_3$

$i.e.,{\text{ EA}}_3>{\text{EA}}_2>{\text{EA}}_{\text{1}}$

${\text{EA}}_2,{\text{EA}}_3$ are always Endoergic

${\text{EA}}_1$ Values are exoergic (however for some elements endoergic e.g. Noble gases, and alkali earth metals) while rest are endoergic.

Q.  If a student write, $\Delta {\text{H\hspace{0.17em}=\hspace{0.17em}+EA}}_2$here ${\text{EA}}_{\text{2}}$ indicates