Validity of Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (POST-UTME) as Screening Instrument for Selecting Candidates into Degree Programmes in Nigerian Universities

James Oluwatayo, Olufunke Olutoyin Fajobi

Abstract


The study investigated the validity of Post-UTME as screening instrument for selecting candidates into degree programmes in Nigerian universities. Participants were 400 final-year undergraduates majoring in Mathematics or Computer Science selected from four public universities (Federal=2, State=2) in southwest Nigeria using stratified and purposive random sampling techniques. Data were collected directly from the respondents during second semester, 2013/2014 academic session using a proforma which sought information on the type of university (Federal/State), course of study (Mathematics/Computer Science), class level (400 level only), Post-UTME composite score and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at 100Level, 200Level, 300Level and 400Level (first semester only). Data were analysed using correlation (r) and regression statistics, tested at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that correlation between Post-UTME scores and CGPA in Mathematics/Computer Science at 100L, 200L, 300L and 400L were 0.67, 0.38, 0.31 and 0.22 respectively, while the coefficient of determination (r2) were 0.4489 (44.9%), 0.1444 (14.4%), 0.0961 (9.61%) and 0.0484 (4.84%) respectively. Deductively, Post-UTME had evidence of predictive validity at 100Level as about 44.9% of the undergraduates’ performance in Mathematics/Computer Science could be attributed to performance in Post-UTME while the remaining 55.1% of the variability could be attributed to other factors. It was concluded that Post-UTME was valid for admission into 100Level Mathematics/Computer Science and hence recommended that Post-UTME be sustained, while concerted efforts be made to monitor undergraduates’ performance from 200Level to 400Level for quality degree programme in Nigerian universities.

 


Keywords


Validity, Post-UTME, Screening, Degree programme.

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