Correlate of Students Performance in Mock and WASSCE in Biology

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to examine the correlate of students’ performance in Akwa Ibom state mock and WASSCE in biology in Obot Akara Local Government Area. To achieve this, the researcher came up with two purposes of the study and three research by hypothesis. The purposes were to examine, the relationship between students’ performances in mock as related to their performance in WASSCE, and, the relationship between the sex differences in students’ performance in mock exams. The population of the study included all the 1200 SS3 students in all public schools in Obot Akara Local Government Area.

The simple random and the stratified sampling technique were used to sample Oct 120 student’s respondents whose results were used for the study out of 4, in the area. The instrument was the mock and WASSCE (May/June) 2015 examination sheet of the sampled students. Data were collected by way of obtaining their scores from both examinations and summarizing them. Analysis was made by the relationship, and T test statistics to test the hypothesis results revealed a high correlation between mock and WASSCE performance, but no correlation existed between Boys/Girls performance. The researcher recommended among other things that students need adequate preparations for all standardized examinations.

 

Correlate of Students Performance in Mock and WASSCE in Biology

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background of the Study

The study of Biology as a science subject at Secondary Schools has been viewed by many, as been important as a science subject and in the development of the individual students for both environmental and body awareness (Tutuo pace, 2013). Because it lays foundation of important like zoology, Botany, Ecology, Bio-information, Biotechnology, Biomedical research, molecular Biology, Genetics, Hematology, Oncology, Aerobiology and so forth.

It has been found as helping to get a better understanding about the world in its natural process, goes knowledge about the interaction of cells with organs and organisms; an organisms, environment and ecosystem; an important subjects for medical point of view which includes identifying diseases and its cure; as well as helping in making a better environment and its contribution to agriculture (Tutor pace 2013). However, in spite of all the numerous benefits offered by biology at school, the study of subject by the students as still not given its pride of place in term of seriousness.

The mock examinations are designed to mimic as closely as possible, the exam day experience (CFA, 2016). Mustapha (2014) reported that the mock examination is typically taken by students in SSS3 that is the final year. The examination is conducted by the State Ministry of Education, and is administered about two to three months before the main examinations, and the result is used to defend the extents to which candidates have been prepared and are ready for the main examinations.

The schools also use the results to identify students, areas of weakness and give them extra coaching in those areas. The examinations is usually graded like the final West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO), Senior School Certificate (SSC) Examinations (Mustapha, 2016) is an assessment which is intended to measure a test taker knowledge, skill, aptitude, physical fitness, for example beliefs (Wikipedia, 2013). It may be administered orally on paper, on a computer in a continued area that requires a test taker to physically perform a set of skills. 

In any way, his mock examination – a non-standardized test (exams), is different from the WAEC (SSC) examinations, a standardized text, in scope and uses of the results. But have, one is administered to clean up the examination anxiety against the other.

Specifically, the mock examination prepares students for the WAEC/NECO Examinations. This is to remove inadequate preparations for the WAEC. According to Abesuji (2008) the main cause of the download trend in students performances in SSCE is traced to inadequate preparation of the candidates by the school. The present study intends to find the relationship between students, and the performance in WAEC in Biology.

 

1.2   Statement of the Problem

The rate of failure of students in standardized examinations (NECO, WAEC – SSCE) over the years have been so alarming for example, a report confirmed a mass failure recorded in the 2015 (May/June) West African Examination Council result (Busu, 2015); another report reads that WAEC released the May/June WASSCE 2014 result, in which approximately 70% failure was recorded (Makinde, 2014).

It is however, observable that the different State Ministries of Education Nationwide do conduct mock Examinations for her Secondary School final year students which seem to prepare the candidates with good mindsets and other practical experiences in tune against the up-coming WAEC Examinations. This then raises so many questions as: Are the candidates not adequately prepared against the WAEC, right from the mock exams?, Does the mock exams have any effect on students performances in WAEC exams? Does boy/girl factor have any effect in students’ preparations and passing of exams? The present study seeks to give answers to the above – raised questions, amongst other things.

Correlate of Students Performance in Mock and WASSCE in Biology

1.3   Purpose of the Study

The general purpose of this study has been to establish the correlation between student’s performance in Akwa Ibom State mock, and WASSCE in Biology in Obot Akara Local Government Area. However, the specific purpose of the study shall be to:

1. Examine the relationship between students’ performance in mock exams, and student’s performance in WASSCE exams, in Obot Akara Local Government Area.
2. Examine the relationship between gender and students’ performance in mock exams (Biology) in Obot Akara Local Government Area.

 

1.4   Significance of the Study

This study will be significant to a number of uses including the school, authorities, the teachers, the external examination bodies as well as the State Government Agencies.

The secondary school management will learn from this study, the very essence of the administration and conduct of mock examinations, being a preparatory test for WAEC examinations, and hence make provisions for teachers as well as for the students (candidates) towards the exams, for gainful performances.

The teachers on the other hand will from this study learn to know that the primary focus of the students (candidates) is on the teacher.  He has to exhaust the academic curriculum, make use of his best skills, professional knowledge, and teaching experiences so as to properly equip the candidates for the up-coming exams because a student who passes well at mock level supposes to equally pass well at the WAEC level.

The external examination body like the WAEC, the NECO, NABTEB, etc would equally learn from this report that, appropriate examination apparatus, specimens and resources especially for the practical aspects of the areas, the supply of such materials should not be dependent on the host schools (institutions) as, if their materials have been reliable, they have been good enough for students to have used them in passing the mock exams at state levels, first.

Finally, the state government agencies would learn from this study that the conduct of mock examinations for students should not be taken lightly. More seriousness should be adopted to the essence of mock exams to students as a preparatory tool, would be accomplished.

1.5    Research Questions

                The following research questions were for the study.

1. Is there any relationship between students’ performance in mock exams conducted by Akwa Ibom State Government, and students’ performance in WASSCE exams in Biology, in Obot Akara Local Government Area?
2. Is there any relationship between gender difference and students performance in mock exams in Biology in Obot Akara Local Government Area?

1.6   Research Hypothesis

The following null hypotheses were formulated for the study:

1. There is no significant relationship between students’ performance in mock exams conducted by Akwa Ibom State government, and students’ performance in Biology, in Obot Akara Local Government Area.
2. There is no significant relationship between gender difference and students; performance in mock exams in Biology in Obot Akara Local Government Area.

1.7   Limitation of the Study

The following limitations were encountered in the course of this study.

1. The process of seeking approval from the school heads of the sampled schools, to carry out research using their schools, was a tedious process.
2. It was equally not easy to establish a reliable level of trust so easily, with the school authorities of the researcher, confidential documents like students; result details which was used for the research. Nevertheless, the challenge was over loaded when it was proven that the researcher is bonafide student of college and that the intended information is meant to be used solely for research purposes, and would be handled with utmost level of confidentiality.
3. Limited finance was another challenge faced by the researcher. However, she was able to harness the limited funds to achieve the best of this report.

 

Correlate of Students Performance in Mock and WASSCE in Biology

1.8   Delimitation of the Study

The aim of this work was to establish the correlation between students’ performance in mock exam, conducted by the Akwa Ibom State Government, and WASSCE performance in Biology, in Obot Akara Local Government Area.

1.9   Assumption of the Study

The following basic assumptions were made by the researcher;

1. The researcher assumes that students who perform excellently well in mock examinations will likely perform well in the WASSCE Examinations, since the two examinations are basically similar in content, and are based on the same curriculum.
2. The researcher equally assumes that proper preparations on the slide of the students and schools, towards any examinations, could ensure success in these exams.
3. The researcher have assumes that the correctness of the result and conclusions obtained from this work will depend much on the correctness of the inputted primary data.

1.10 Definition of Terms

WASSCE: This means West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination; it is a type of standardized test in West African. It is administered by the West African Examination Council.

Mock Examination:  This is an examination especially in a school, taken as practice before an official examination.

Correlation:     Is a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on another.