Modes of Entry as Predictors of Academic Performance of Engineering Students in a Nigerian University

Abstract

The four modes of entry into Faculties of Engineering and Technology in Nigerian universities are: passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to gain admission into the first year of a five-year engineering degree programme; passing through a one year Remedial programme before coming in as first year students; Direct entry admission into the second year (200 Level) of the degree programme; and Direct entry admission into third year (300 Level). Data on the modes of entry and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at the time of graduation obtained from the ten departments in Faculty of Engineering and Technology at University of Ilorin, for students who graduated in 2018/2019 session, were analysed. Out of the 471 students, 24 graduated with first class honours with 22 of them being UTME students and two being Remedial students. The number of UTME, Remedial, Direct Entry students at 200 Level, and Direct Entry students at 300 level were: 377, 66, 26, and 2 and the averages of their CGPA were: 3.58, 3.27, 3.60, and 3.52, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the CGPAs of graduates who were admitted through UTME, Remedial and Direct Entry at 200 level. It is recommended that the admission quota of Direct Entry candidates be increased and the UTME candidates should continue to have the highest percentage of admission spaces.