Abstract
Universities seek to qualify students for their academic and career futures and meet labor market requirements. Hence, a preparatory year is provided to bridge the gap between high school outcomes and the needs of university study plans. The preparatory year is the first year of support in the life of university students, and for decades, it has been recognized as important. It is considered the most crucial stage in the life of university students, where they build and refine their skills and choose their academic major, in which they complete their academic and career life. Due to the importance of this year, which requires the full attention and care of the higher authorities in terms of preparation, development, and renewal, this research outlines the importance of the preparatory year at a local level and in international institutions. Moreover, it sheds light on the details of King Abdulaziz University (KAU) students as a case study. It measures the relationship between the admission weighted ratio (AWR), the college enrollment allocation weighted ratio (CEAWR), and the performance of three batches of male and female students (three consecutive years), with details of students’ college allocation after the end of the preparatory year. More importantly, it aims to realize students’ progress through their weighted averages during their preparatory year, and the extent to which the goals of the preparatory year are achieved. After an analytic survey of the reality of the preparatory year, based on the statistical tests conducted, this study found that it is not possible to be satisfied with the weighted ratio for colleges’ direct allocation of high school students. The tests showed a difference between the AWR and that of the CEAWR, which indicates a change in the level of students’ performance from high school to university, due to the positive impact of the preparatory year. More precisely, it was noted that there is a possibility of studying the sufficiency of the weighted ratio for the direct allocation of some colleges in future research.
Highlights
In some countries, higher education institutions offer a preparatory year for high school graduates to bridge the gap between school and university education and to well integrate students into the university environment (Batterjee Medical College 2021)
To study the relationship between the admission and College enrolment allocation (CEA) weighted ratios, Pearson’s correlation test (PCT) was applied and analyzed based on the following hypotheses: I Null hypothesis: There is no relationship between the admission weighted ratio (AWR) and the college enrollment allocation weighted ratio (CEAWR); I Alternative hypothesis: There is a relationship between the AWR and the CEAWR
The preparatory year, which is considered a transitional phase, allowing students to grow accustomed to the university system, may impact the college enrollment allocation weighted ratio (CEAWR) by either increasing or decreasing it compared to the admission weighted ratio (AWR)
Summary
Higher education institutions offer a preparatory year for high school graduates to bridge the gap between school and university education and to well integrate students into the university environment (Batterjee Medical College 2021). The preparatory year program is responsible for developing newcomers’ scientific and personal capabilities to allow them to choose a specialization appropriate to their abilities and inclinations (Batterjee Medical College 2021; Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University 2021; Good Universities Guide 2021; King Faisal University 2021). According to Academiccourses, the preparatory or foundation year “is a one-year introduction to a full degree curriculum and prepares students for their entry into university. These programs train students in a wide variety of subjects.”. They stated that “By opening the door to undergraduate study, a preparatory year creates the opportunity for significant career improvement.”
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