Predictors of overall performance in physics matric advanced level : an insight into entry requirements

Abstract

Predicting the future performance of a student based on the past performance is no easy task. Developing such a tool would enable Colleges and Universities as well as other institutions to spend their resources more wisely. This study is an attempt to use the Physics SEC result as a predictor for performance at Physics Matric Advanced level. Furthermore, five college-based assessment results taken during the students’ two year course are also employed as predictors. The study shows that the number of females pursuing the study of Physics at Advanced level is rather low when compared to the males. More significantly, all the assessment tools examined are modest predictors of performance. The Physics SEC result does give a rough indication of Matric performance. However, achieving a bad grade at SEC level is not a barrier towards achieving a good result at Matric level. This means that making the Physics Matric course more stringent is not the way to making it better.