University Matriculation Examination As A Predictor Of Students’ Final Grades
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University Matriculation Examination As A Predictor Of Students’ Final Grades
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which University Matriculation Examinations (UME) – now Unified Tertiary Institutions Matriculation Examinations (UTME) scores predicted students’ final grades in four departments of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (Nursing Sciences, Medical Radiography and Radiological Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, and Medical Rehabilitation Sciences).
The study was conducted using a non-experimental, retrospective correlational design. Seven research topics and seven hypotheses led the investigation. Records of 306 UME students from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology who were enrolled in the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 academic sessions and whose results had been ready and authorised by the University Senate as of December 2012 were selected and reviewed.
The data was obtained using a proforma prepared by the researcher and analysed using the Computer Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.
The statistics employed were Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) and the Partial Correlation Coefficient (r2). P-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
The study’s main finding was that UME score was just a 3% predictor of students’ final grades in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology. There was a significant link between UME scores and FCGPA among Medical Radiography and Radiological Sciences Department students (p < 0.05). Male students had higher UME scores and FCGPA than female students.
There was a significant association (p < 0.05) between the UME scores and the FCGPA of the male students. UME scores accounted for around 8% (r2 =.0751) of the variance in the FCGPA of the male students, while it accounted for less than 1% (r2 <.0001) for the female students.
There was also a substantial disparity in UME scores and FCGPA amongst students in the Medical Radiography and Radiological Sciences Department. It was suggested, among other things, that less emphasis be placed on Unified Tertiary Institutions Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores for university admission
as well as that more universities be established to alleviate the pressure to seek admission at any cost from the few existing ones. The study’s principal weakness is that only students’ records from two academic sessions at the FHST were examined. Suggestions for additional research were also provided.
INTRODUCTION: Background to the Study.
The University Matriculation Examination (UME), now known as the Unified Tertiary Institutions Matriculation Examinations (UTME), is a yearly common entrance examination administered by Nigeria’s Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) with the sole purpose of selecting and placing suitably qualified candidates in Nigerian universities.
Prior to the formation of JAMB for the admission of students into various institutions, the universities conducted separate admission exercises (Omodara 2010). A slew of complaints damaged this type of admissions process.
Osakuade (2011) notes numerous obstacles, including the issue of multiple applications and admissions, an uncoordinated system of university admissions, and a significant cost implication for candidates.
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