Mode of Entry as a Predictor of First- Year Mathematics Undergraduate Students’ Academic Performance in University of Jos, Nigeria

Abstract

The main stay of this study was to investigate whether mode of entry is a predictor of first-year mathematics undergraduate students’ academic performance in University of Jos. The study adopted a correlational research design. The mathematics scores of one hundred and eleven (111) mathematics undergraduate students admitted into 100L through the UTME and RSP for the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 academic sessions in MTH 101, 102 and 103 respectively were obtained. The sample of the study was comprised of 90 students with 45 drawn from each of the sessions. The average CGPA of these students were obtained in these courses and the results correlated. The analysis of the results showed that a significant relationship exists between mode of entry and first-year mathematics undergraduate students’ academic performance in mathematics. It was recommended amongst others that Secondary schools should invest in preparing students for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and make them register and sit for the examination in their final year. Those who do not pass the examination should be encouraged to seek admission into Pre-degree programmes (Remedial Programmes).