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Explaining Academic Performance of First-Year Undergraduate Students in Economics

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Abstract

This paper examines the impact of five different set of academic performance predictors on first-year undergraduate students of Economics. The academic performance predictors are grouped into pre-university school characteristics, prior academic achievement, entrance requirements, university and social factors. Stepwise regression technique is employed in the analysis. The results show that performances in O’level Economics, University and Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) consistently have significant positive influence on students’ academic performance. Attendance of tutorial in the university has important influence on students’ performance. It is evident that male academic performance is on the average, lower than female performance. However, there is weak evidence that time students spent on social media negatively affects their academic performance. This paper therefore, recommends that admission authority should put more emphasis on O’level grade in Economics and UTME score when considering candidates to study economics; and that tutorial should be well organized by the Department rather than arbitrarily as being organized currently.

Suggested Citation

  • A. Kilishi, Abdulhakeem, 2021. "Explaining Academic Performance of First-Year Undergraduate Students in Economics," Ilorin Journal of Economic Policy, Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, vol. 8(1), pages 78-88, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:ilojep:0040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Smith, Jeremy & Naylor, Robin, 2005. "Schooling effects on subsequent university performance: evidence for the UK university population," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 24(5), pages 549-562, October.
    2. Kurtis J. Swope & Pamela M. Schmitt, 2006. "The Performance of Economics Graduates over the Entire Curriculum: The Determinants of Success," The Journal of Economic Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(4), pages 387-394, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    First-year undergraduate; Academic Performance; Pre-university academic factors; Entrance requirement; university factors;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A21 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Pre-college
    • A22 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Undergraduate
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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