A Comparative Study of Student’s Performance in S.S.C.E Mathematics and Pre-National Diploma (PRE-ND) Programmes Mathematics: A Case Study of Nasarawa State Polytechnic Lafia

Abstract

Pre-National Diploma (Pre-ND) programmes serves as a preparatory stage for students to gain admission, into National Diploma programmes in all Polytechnics in Nigeria.  But one may wonder why some student pass Senior School Certificate of Education (S.S.C.E) Mathematics at credit level but still fails Pre-ND mathematics.  This work used correlation coefficient to compare performances of students between their S.S.C.E entry grades with their Pre-ND grades in mathematics. The result shows that S.S.C.E, W.A.E.C (West Africa Examination Council) grades in mathematics is better predictor of student’s performance at Pre-ND examination in mathematics than S.S.C.E, N.E.C.O (National Examination Council) grades in mathematics.

Keywords: Better predictor, Comparative study, Mathematics, Pre-National Diploma, Student’s performance, S.S.C.E. NECO, S.S.C.E. WAEC.