Comparative Analyses of Physics Candidates Scores in West African and National Examinations Councils

Abstract

The study is a comparative analysis of physics candidates’ scores in West African and National Examinations Councils. It also investigates influence of gender. Results of 480 candidates were randomly selected form three randomly selected Senior Science Colleges using the WASSCE and NECOSSCE computer printout sent to the schools, transformed using the stained scale classified into WASSCE, NECOSSCE and gender of the candidates and analyzed using the t-test statistics. The results of the study showed that 5940 and 6136 candidates registered for the WASSCE and NECOSSCE respectively for the period under study showing a 3.30% increase of NECOSSCE over the WASSCE candidates. There exists a significant difference in performances between the two examinations and also in their gender. All hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. This study also reveals a higher mean performance of NECOSSCE over the WASSCE. Encouragement of candidates to study hard for the two examinations, payment of Examination fees for WASSCE candidates and alteration in who conduct the examination first in each year were recommended.