Candidates' performance in the matriculation certificate English examination : an investigation

Abstract

One of the key motives behind this study was the issue of the low success rate in the MC English examination over the past few years. This research identified the reasons for this low success rate and a number of issues were encompassed in the analysis of the learning, teaching and testing of English at Advanced level. By means of semi structured interviews with lecturers of English at Junior College, the teaching methodology employed at postsecondary level was scrutinised in an attempt to understand any possible relationship between the methods employed in the classroom and student achievement at MC level. Correlational research was conducted in order to explore the predictive validity of the SEC English examinations and the entire Advanced level English student population was surveyed in order to gauge students' attitudes towards the subject and motivation for choosing to study it at postsecondary level. Assessment issues played a fundamental role in this study's attempt to understand the practices adopted by paper setters and markers when testing Advanced level English and for this purpose a semi-structured interview was conducted with the chairperson of the Matriculation English examination board. The results indicate that candidates' poor performance in the MC English examination mostly originates from two primary sources: the teaching and learning of the subject; the examination syllabus and aspects of the testing process. Contingent on its results, this study encourages the concerned stakeholders to revise problematic practices and introduce necessary reforms.