Matriculation Examination Research Articles

A Rule-Based System for Admission Recommendations in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions

This research presents a rule-based system to provide admission recommendations in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Unlike many existing studies that employ machine learning classifiers, this research aims to develop a transparent and deterministic system using predefined rules. The rule-based system recommends suitable courses based on candidates’ O’level results, Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores, computed post-UTME scores, and specific eligibility criteria. By focusing on a rule-based approach, the system mitigates the limitations and potential misclassifications associated with machine learning, thereby enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of the admissions process. The methodology follows predefined guidelines to ensure a transparent and understandable admissions procedure. This approach avoids the complexities and uncertainties of predictive models, providing an accurate and reliable method for course recommendations. The rule-based recommendation system ultimately aims to support educational institutions and admission offices in making informed decisions regarding candidate qualifications, eligibility, and course recommendations.

Teaching strategies and materials in foreign language teaching in Finland

The purpose of this study was to investigate what teaching strategies and teaching materials are used in foreign language teaching in Finland. The data were collected with an online questionnaire that was answered by 550 language teachers from primary school to adult education. Descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA were used to analyse the dataset. The results showed that printed textbooks, mechanical exercises, communicative tasks, and comprehension exercises were widely used in foreign language teaching, while fiction, non-fiction, and national and international collaboration were rarely implemented into teaching. Major differences in the use of teaching strategies and materials were detected across educational levels. The results imply that training for teachers and student teachers is required, and greater attention should be given to diversifying foreign language teaching materials. Providing ready-made materials for teachers and considering the effect of the matriculation examination on teaching strategies and materials are also essential implications of this study.

ENHANCED APPROACH FOR CHANGE OF COURSE OF STUDY USING FUZZY LOGIC

In tertiary institutions of Nigeria, students are admitted through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to study courses of their choice. However, most students often perform poorly. Thus, the need to change their programme of study becomes a necessity or risk being withdrawn from the university. The student for a change of programme is required to present a cumulative grade point average (CGPA), which informs the student’s status and commonly used criteria to determine the student’s qualification for a change of programme of study. The students are allowed to choose or advised which programme to choose based on their perceived strength. This is not scientific and have proven ineffective since may be based on biased perception. Thus, most of these students still perform poorly in the new programme of study and may end up being withdrawn. In order to minimize subjectivity and handle uncertainty in such a decision process, this paper proposed a fuzzy logic approach for the change of programme of study by considering the student’s Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) result(s), UTME scores, and grades obtained in the various examined and related courses. The CGPA initiates the entire process. The simulation was done in MATLAB, inputs were supplied and the recommendation is generated. The strength values of each input is calibrated from, as from which the system recommends other faculties, Computer Science, Statistics, Physics and mathematics respectively. The system enhances the chance that a student may perform in their newly proposed programme.

The impact of ambient PM2.5 air pollution on student performance: Evidence from finnish matriculation examinations

We examine the impact of fine particulate matter pollution on upper secondary school matriculation exams in Finland. Considering the subject-specific abilities of exam takers, we observe that fine particulate matter exposure influences performance in mathematical but not in verbal subjects.

Does the high school external examination grades and the type of high school attended impact the academic performance of freshmen university students?

<p>There is a general conception that high school academic performance and the type of school a child attends would determine his/her academic success in the university. In this study, 135 freshmen engineering students were sampled at the Redeemer's University, Osun State, Nigeria. The study aimed to determine if the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the type of school attended impact on academic performance of students in the first year at the university. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between UTME scores and the results of engineering freshmen; that is, students who attended private secondary schools performed somewhat better than students who went to public secondary schools. Also, statistical analyses showed that the type of secondary school attended has a significant relationship with UTME scores in favor of students who attended private secondary schools. This study recommends that the government of Nigeria should make public secondary school more appealing to students who cannot afford private secondary schools by putting measures in place to train and employ qualified teachers, and improve teaching and learning conditions. The study aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all and lifelong learning.</p>

Nigerian Open and Distance Learning Students and the Mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme

The principal means of accessing admission into higher educational institutions in Nigeria is the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) carried out by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB). The total number of candidates looking for admission into the different Nigerian institutions of higher learning has been on the increase over the years. The main motivation behind setting up any Open Distance Learning (ODL) institutions in Nigeria is to give a scope of chance to admittance to advanced education to students who, for one explanation or the other, really like to have their schooling in a more adaptable way. Moreover, the low admission limit of Nigerian universities for full time studies places a limit on the number of prospective learners who can be admitted into universities thereby making a monstrous hole between the people who want higher education and the framework accessible to cater for their necessities. The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme is an obligatory programme set up by the Nigerian government to include graduates of Nigerian educational tertiary institutions who are 30 years and below with the aim of promoting national unity and integration as well as to contribute to the accelerated growth of the national economy. However, graduates of open and distance learning institutions in the country do not take part in the NYSC programme. An attempt is made in this paper to investigate the level of preparedness and interests of ODL students and their disappointment in their exclusion from the programme. To achieve this, a descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study with a random sample of 201 respondents comprising 114 male and 87 female distant learners within the stipulated age for the NYSC scheme. A researcher-developed questionnaire was used to gather data from respondents. Four research questions were raised and three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data gathered were analyzed and presented using figures, simple percentages, frequency tables and the Independent T-test. The findings revealed that 98% of respondents believe that they are prepared for the NYSC scheme, while 2% of respondents are not prepared. 99% are interested and 97% are disappointed at their exclusion from the scheme. No significant gender difference was observed in the level of preparedness, extent of interest and degree of disappointment in exclusion from the scheme among respondents. The study recommends a collaborative effort of ODL institutions and their counselling units in addressing anxieties and disappointments among students. The study also advocates a review of government’s policy on the NYSC scheme for possible inclusion of young graduates of ODL institutions in the scheme.

핀란드 국가핵심교육과정의 역사교육 평가 기준과 실천

This article focuses on Finnish education, which is receiving global attention, and examines the evaluation of Finnish history education. Finland has not chosen the competitive and market-based management system for improving educational quality that many countries around the world have chosen. Instead, teachers' autonomy was guaranteed, and in the 2014 national core curriculum revision, teachers' autonomy was further strengthened by setting the content of the subject more comprehensively than before. This study examines how the evaluation standards for history education in Finland's national core curriculum are designed and how they are evaluated in actual tests. To this end, Finland intends to analyze the characteristics of history education evaluation standards in the National Core Curriculum, which was revised in 2015, through mock test questions and model answers for history subjects in the Finnish Matriculation Examination.

Evaluation of Preparation and Outcome of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board Examinations Among First Year Medical Students in Rivers State

Background: In most countries of the world, entrance into tertiary institution is regulated by statutory examining councils / bodies, after passing recommended examinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the determinants of success at the Nigerian University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) among first year undergraduate medical students in Rivers State in the year 2022. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional analytical study was carried out among first year undergraduate medical students in four universities. Data was collated and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: There were 219 (45.1%) males and 267 (54.9%) females, and their mean age was 19.45±2.80 years. Majority (n=372, 76.6%) of students prepared daily for at least 3-4 hours over at least 3 to 4 months (n=179, 36.8%) before passing their examinations. There were computer-related (134, 27.6%) and other issues. Only 257 (52.9%) students passed their UTME at first attempt. The number of UTME attempts reduces as average daily preparation hours increases; the higher the average daily examination preparation hours, the higher the chances of scoring above 200 in first attempt; the higher the number of months of active preparation, the lower the number of attempts at UTME; and these relationships were statistically significant (being p=0.000, p=0.009, and p=0.036 respectively). Conclusion: The determinants of success at the UTME of the JAMB among others are associated with students’ quality of input in preparing for the examinations. There are roles to be played at multiple levels to achieve needed improvement.

Socio-economic Profile of Labour and Owners of Enterprises: A Case Study from Rural Non-farm Sector of Punjab

In the non-farm sector people are employed in two ways, either they work as laborers in rural enterprises or they have their own rural enterprises. Around 8.6% people are illiterate, 27% have completed primary education, 33.3% have completed Matriculation examination(10th), 17.9% have completed secondary education(S Sec) , 12.1% are graduates and 1.2% are above graduates. Majority of schedule caste workers are engaged in activities like Aaganwadi and Asha worker, Auto-mobile repair, Brick Kiln worker, casual worker, domestic worker, factory labour and religious work. On the other hand, general category workers are engaged in activities like Govt. Job Regular, Medicine, and shop labour. On the other hand either OBC workers are engaged in traditional activities like carpenter and workshop labour or as drivers and in shops As per our analysis, less than 2% people have dependency ratio of 1 person, 49.1% respondents have dependency ratio of between 1 to 3 persons, and 42.6%respondents have dependency ratio of 3 to 5 persons and 7% people have dependency ratio of above 5 persons.

Analysis of Students Performance on Admission Placement

In the present-time, getting admission to study a preferred course of choice in the Nigerian tertiary institutions by prospective applicants is highly competitive. As a criteria, applicants are required to meet the UTME (Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and five (5) relevant ordinary level credits, including English and Mathematics as a prerequisite before securing admission. However, being wrongly placed for a course that is different from ones choice could negatively affect learning and outcomes. Therefore, proper placement would have tendency of enhancing not only learning and outcomes but also self-esteem; thus improved productivity. This paper has examined students’ performance based on the course sought at entry and course placed to study. The CGPA of 300-Level students in the 2020/2021 session of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Yobe State University was used as a particular case for the investigation. Descriptive and Non-parametric techniques were employed. We found that applicants who sought to study computer science or physics at entry but were placed to study mathematics/statistics performed better than those who sought to study chemistry or biology. However, applicants who sought to study chemistry and placed to study mathematics/statistics are fairly better as compared to biology. Conclusively, the results of this study will inform decision makers and tertiary institution managers towards selecting those suitable to study mathematics/statistics if their preferred courses not secured.

Impact of digital divide on students’ performance in computerised UTME in Nigeria

In Nigeria, the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), a large-scale university admission examination, was fully computerised in 2015. However, knowledge gap and digital divide are prevalent in developing countries, which may impact students’ performance in computer-based tests (CBT). To this end, this study investigates ICT-related individual differences (computer familiarity/experience, CBT anxiety and CBT attitude) among secondary school students taking UTME and its effects on their performance on the test in Osun state, Nigeria, considering their locations (rural/urban) and school types (public/private). The study adopted a quantitative survey for data collection from final-year secondary school students who registered and took 2021 UTME. The study's findings revealed significant variations in the access and use of computers among students taking UTME. It was found that all students from private schools had prior computer experience, whereas 11% of students from public schools had not used a computer before. Within the group of students without prior computer experience, 63% were from rural public schools. Furthermore, computer familiarity positively correlates with students’ performance in UTME. For instance, students who have taken CBT at least six times before UTME have significantly better performance than those who have not taken CBT at all. However, CBT attitude and anxiety before and after the examination were moderate and had no significant relationship with test performance. We conclude that affordable and easily accessible ICT facilities and CBT practice centres should be provided to students, especially those in disadvantaged areas, to ensure the fairness of UTME to all candidates.

The relationship between secondary education outcomes and academic achievement: a study of Finnish educational sciences students

ABSTRACT A multitude of research shows that the secondary education (SE) outcomes relate with university academic achievement (AA). More research is needed on SE outcomes subject-specifically. We examined the relationship between the Finnish matriculation examination (ME) results and AA, study success (grades) and study progress (credits), of educational sciences students (N = 1,214) who were pursuing a three-year bachelor’s degree in 2007–2017. The overall ME results explained 15% of the variance in study success and less than 1% in study progress. Success in mother tongue, mathematics, psychology and health education in the ME along with 1st- and 2nd-year study success related positively with higher study success throughout the three years. For the 3rd-year study progress, the results were more mixed, and progress in the 1st and 2nd year was statistically significant compared to the ME results. In conclusion, it is recommended to consider subject-specific ME outcomes regarding student admissions and curricula.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING CHOICE OF AGRIBUSINESS AS CAREER OPTION AFTER GRADUATION AMONG AGRICULTURAL STUDENTS OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the determinants of choice of agribusiness as career option after graduation among agricultural students of tertiary institutions in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 300 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that, the respondents have a mean age of 27 years and majority (62.7%) were male and mostly (65.3%) single while 28.0% were married. About 65% of the respondents gained their admission through unified tertiary and matriculation examination, 34.7% through direct entry and 87.3% choose agriculture as first choice. Majority (63.7%) were in second class and only 3.67% on first class with average monthly income of ₦22,500. Majority (65.3%) of the respondents were unemployed while the employed constituted 34.7% The results further showed that 30% of the parents of the respondents were self-employed in non-farm business while 11% were self-employed in farm business. Most (85.7%) of the respondents have no any farm related enterprise. The results also indicated that 60.7% of the respondents’ families reside in the towns and cities while34.33% reside in the villages. Similarly, majority (57.7%, 55.0% and 50.0%) of the respondents preferred to venture into crop production, livestock and input dealer respectively. Among the factors influencing students’ choice of agribusiness as career option after graduation were age, mode of entry and source of information all of which were significant P≤0.05 influencing the choice of agribusiness as career option after graduation. Poor market, institutional and shortage of agro allied industries were the most perceived constraints ranked 1st,2nd and 3rd respectively. The study concluded that, age (P≤ 0.01), mode of entry (P≤ 0.01) and source of information were significant (P≤0.05) were the major determinants of agribusiness as career option after graduation. The study recommended promotion of institutional support, Agro-industrial policy, infrastructure development and establishment of strategic marketing to explore agribusiness policies and potentials, insurance cover and business registration for graduates should be subsidized by government in order to have more take up.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN UNIFIED TERTIARY MATRICULATION EXAMINATIONS AND CUMULATIVE GRADE POINTS AVERAGE AT YUSUF BALA USMAN COLLEGE DAURA, NIGERIA

The study was carried out to assess relationship between students’ performance in Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations and Cumulative grade point average at Yusuf Bala Usman College of Education Daura, Katsina State. The study adopted ex-post facto research design. The population of the study consisted of two thousand, six hundred and twenty-eight (2.628) while the sample for the study consisted of one thousand, three hundred and fourteen (1,314) students drawn from five (5) departments through purposive sampling technique. A proforma designed by the researchers was used for data collection. Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to analyses the data collected. Findings of the study showed that there is significant relationship between students’ performance in UTME and their final CGPA in Yusuf Bala Usman College of Education Daura. based on these findings, it was recommended that screening exercise for admission as a post-UTME should be commenced in the institution to help the management to select candidates who are adequately prepared for successful pursuance of courses of study in the institution.

Diagnostinen arviointi suomen kielen ja kirjallisuuden pedagogiikan opintojakson opiskelua ja opetusta ohjaamassa

The article deals with diagnostic assessment conducted in the Finnish language and literature course for classroom teacher students. The research context was a hybrid learning environment, where the students evaluated both their linguistic and pedagogical competence using a self-assessment tool. The research questions were 1) what kind of linguistic competence the students showed in the beginning of the course, 2) how the results of linguistic competence and self-assessment were related, and 3) how the final grade of Finnish language and literature and the matriculation examination test of Finnish predicted the results of a diagnostic test. The data of the pilot research consisted of the results of a diagnostic test of 127 students and their self-assessment based on a five-step criterion-referenced scale. The research was quantitative and statistical methods were used in the analysis. The results showed that there were statistically reliable connections between the results of the self-assessment and the diagnostic test. With the help of the test, it is possible to assess different areas of students’ linguistic competence to some extent reliably.

ТЕСТОВИТЕ ЗАДАЧИ ОТ ДЪРЖАВНИЯ ЗРЕЛОСТЕН ИЗПИТ ЗА ПРОФИЛИРАЩ УЧЕБЕН ПРЕДМЕТ „ИНФОРМАТИКА“ ПРЕЗ УЧЕБНАТА 2021/2022 ГОДИНА

In the academic year 2021/2022, the first class of Informatics Specialization in Secondary school Informatics graduated and the first State Matriculation Examinations were held for the graduates of the specialization. This article makes some quantitative and qualitative evaluations of the results of this part of the exam, containing multiple-choice and open-ended questions. The obtained results would be useful for improving the test part of the exam in preparing the topics for subsequent exams.

ANALYTICAL VALIDITY OF UNIVERSITY TERTIARY MATRICULATION EXAMINATION (UTME) SCORES AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF LAFIA, NIGERIA

The weak performance of university undergraduates currently in Nigeria can be traced to the University admission structure. Applicants who met admission requirements in the Senior Secondary School Certificate by acquiring the requisite five credits or its equivalent are seen as potential University undergraduate students. Candidates who score the required cut off points in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (PUTME) are presumed to be proficient of pursuing chosen courses of study effectively in the University. This study investigated the relationship between University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), assessment and the first-year academic performance of 2016/2017 students in Federal University of Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Descriptive survey research was used as the research design to find the analytical predictive legitimacy and validity of University Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and the students’ academic performance. The population of 1500 students were admitted into the University within the 2016/2017 academic session and a stratified and purposive random sampling technique was used to collect data from a sample of 360 students from selected Departments of the Faculties of Arts, Science and Social Sciences. A self- developed pro-forma invoice was used to collect student’s UTME scores along with Grade Point Average (CGPA) for the first year. A correlation analysis was used to establish the relationship between UTME scores and First session examination results of students. The validity index of the research instrument was determined and two hypotheses were formulated and a regression analysis used to determine the relationship between UTME scores and the CGPA in Federal University of Lafia. While the CGPA was the criterion variable, the UTME scores was the predictor variable. The results revealed that students’ UTME scores do not essentially imply their genuine scores or intellectual ability. This was confirmed by the weak relationships revealed by students’ scores in UTME and the corresponding CGPA at the end of the first year. The study recommends that a more vigorous post-UTME screening to sieve the candidates before the candidates is offered admission. The JAMB also needs to monitor more effectively the examination management process to safeguard any form of manipulations of results given the fact that the computer-based process can also be compromised by desperate stakeholders.

Maximizing the Potentials of the Internet in Enhancing the Conduct of Computer-Based Tests for University Admission in a South-West Nigerian University

The internet presents numerous opportunities for universities to reach a wide audience with timely and relevant information. This study examines the potential impact of the internet on reaching university admission candidates, identifying application challenges, and assessing the conduct of Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (Post-UTME) tests in a South-West Nigeria University. The population for the study comprised applicants who took the Post-UTME test at the Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo. The study utilized internet adverts and surveys to disseminate information and gather feedback from participants. Results showed that the majority of applicants were reached through internet digital adverts with no difficulties encountered during the application process. The university's Facebook page had the highest views and engagements from admission seekers. The conduct of the Post-UTME test was commended by most applicants. The study concluded that the Internet can facilitate increased participation and easy assessment of Post-UTME tests in the university. It recommends that universities should explore the potential benefits of internet adverts and surveys in disseminating admission-related information, extracting feedback from stakeholders, and sensitizing the public about university programs.

Measuring higher-order cognitive skills with multiple choice questions –potentials and pitfalls of Finnish teacher education entrance

This mixed methods study examines the structure of the multiple-choice exam for student selection in Finnish teacher education. Through qualitative content analysis, we categorized multiple-choice questions into items that assessed lower- and higher-order cognitive processes based on the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded four factors that represented lower- and higher-order cognitive processing skills and comprehension of empirical and theoretical items. These were associated with matriculation examination grades, especially with the average grade and the mother tongue grade. When developing future multiple-choice exams for admissions, we recommend emphasizing higher-order processing skills and the role of source materials.

Finnish Matriculation Examination and National Curriculum and Teachers’ Attitudes, Perspectives, and Practices

The Finnish National Core Curriculum (NCC) and the Finnish Matriculation Examination (ME) are likely to shape what happens in classrooms around Finland, particularly with regard to classroom assessment. The present study aimed at exploring English academically oriented upper secondary school teachers’ of English (n = 85) (1) attitudes to changes in the NCC and the ME happening around 2017, when the data were collected, (2) their perspectives on these changes, and (3) how their assessment practices were shaped by the NCC and the ME. The data came from a survey and follow-up interviews with four teachers. The results indicated that teachers were quite positive about both changes, though anticipated both positive and negative changes in the classroom. Their assessment practices appeared to be shaped more strongly by the ME than the NCC. Their practices also seemed to impact their attitudes to and perspectives on the two changes.