Predictive Validity of Entrance Examinations for First-Year GPA Among Pre-Service Teachers of Christian Religious Studies

Abstract

The Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination are placement examinations used to select applicants for admission to tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The study, therefore, used the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores as predictors of students’ First-year Grade Point Average among pre-service teachers. An ex-post facto research design was adopted. One purpose was raised and transformed into a research hypothesis. The population consisted of Christian Religious Studies undergraduates at the University of Ilorin who were receiving training to become future professional teachers. The target population were 100 Level Christian Religious Studies students in the 2020/2021 academic session. All 113 available students were used as the sample. A proforma was developed to collect scores for the 3 variables used in this study. Multiple regression analysis was employed to test the hypothesis raised. The findings revealed that Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination scores are good predictors of First-year Grade Point Average. It was therefore concluded that the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and post- Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination are fair test instruments that could be relied upon to ascertain examinees’ ability, guaranteeing students’ admission into any Nigerian tertiary  institution . Hence,  it  was  recommended  that  the  Joint  Admission Matriculation Board, being the organ responsible for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, and the University that conducts the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination should vigorously monitor the use of these instruments to serve the purpose they are meant for.