Differential predictive validity of pre-entry examinationson students’ academic achievement in three university types in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, tertiary institution admissions are regulated by statutory examination councils. Despite high pre-entry examination scores the performance of undergraduate students in the university has remained poor. This study examined the differential predictive validity of pre-entry examination on students' academic achievement in three university types in Southwest Nigeria. A correlational design was employed, with a sample of 2,075 students selected from three university types through a multistage sampling procedure and further stratified by proportional random sampling. The data collected included Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) scores and cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) from the 200-level students of the 2016/2017 academic session. The findings revealed varying correlations between UTME scores and CGPA across universities. Multiple Regression Analysis showed significant contributions of UTME and Post University Matriculation Examination (PUTME) scores in predicting academic achievement in federal, state and private universities. The study highlighted the predictive power of UTME scores, with UTME being a stronger predictor in federal universities than in state and private universities. This study concluded that there are significant correlations between the predictive validity of students’ UTME scores and their academic achievement across university types in Southwest Nigeria. UTME and PUTME scores are significant predictors of academic achievement, with varying degrees across university ownership. Therefore, it is recommended that universities in Nigeria should continue utilizing PUTME as a supplementary assessment, ensuring examination quality through expert involvement in test preparation and conduct.