Predictive validity of mathematics basic education certificate examination as correlate of mathematics geometry achievement among SS 2 students in Delta state

Abstract

This study examined predictive validity of mathematics basic education certificate examination as correlate of mathematics geometry achievement among SS 2 students in Delta State. Two research questions and null hypotheses guided the study and Correlational research design was employed. The population of the study consisted of 105, 848 students who sat for BECE Mathematics in 2022 and SS 11 students in year 2024 in Delta State. The sample size of the study was 480 while the instruments used for this study was mathematics BECE scores and Geometry Achievement test (GAT). The internal consistency of the GAT yielded an index of 0.62. The Cronbach alpha method of estimating reliability was employed to obtain the reliability index of 0.84 for the mathematics BECE Proforma. The Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient of Determination was used to answer the research questions while regression and fisher-z statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Based on this finding it was concluded that BECE Mathematics is a predictor of mathematics geometry achievement. However, the magnitude of relationship and the percentage of prediction of mathematics geometry achievement from BECE Mathematics performance were very low and weak. Based on the findings it was recommended among others that BECE Mathematics scheme, contents and curriculum should be reviewed in conformity with mathematics geometry to enhance its predictive validity, BECE that are conducted by NECO should be compulsorily used by all schools to ensure uniformity.