Effectiveness of University Matriculation Examination and Post-University Matriculation Examination on the Academic Performance of Nigerian Undergraduate Students

Abstract

This is a case study that examines the relative effectiveness of University Matriculation Examination (UME) and Post University Matriculation Examination (Post-UME) on the final year academic performance of students admitted to Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 sessions, being the last set of students admitted with UME  and first set admitted with Post-UME respectively. This is a descriptive research design of ex-post facto type. The population consists of the entire students admitted into this university for the two sessions. The researcher made use of a proforma to collect the scores of  2005-2006 candidates on their UME, Post-UME and class of degrees at the 2008-2009 final year examination. This same proforma was also used to collect the scores of 2004-2005 students on their UME and class of their degrees in the 2007-2008 final year examination. Using Pearson product moment correlation and t-test statistics to analyze data, findings show that there is a low relationship between students’ score in UME  and Post-UME. More so, Post-UME was more effective than the UME but the difference was so little. It was recommended that:

1. JAMB should be saddled with the responsibility of conducting pre-qualifying examination whereby universities should be allowed to conduct a Post-UME screening
2. For the Post-UME screening, students should only be tested on their level of coherence in the English language through essay writing and oral interviews in addition to objective tests.
3. A bench mark of 180 is recommended for calling students for Post-UME screening.