The aim of this study was to find out if there were any significant differences in the academic performances of students admitted through the two major modes of admission (direct or preliminary) of Nigerian universities. Also possible differences with regards to sex and age of the students were investigated. Students from Bayero University were used as samples.
The study involved 434 students who graduated in June 1982. The academic records of the students were obtained and GPAs for each year and for the final class of degree were used in the analyses. The variables were analyzed using the factorial design of analysis of variance.
It was found that there were significant differences in the overall sample with regards to the mode of admission: direct entry students performed better than the preliminary students in year two and three and also in the class of degree obtained. Similar results were found among students majoring in Education in year two and class of degree. Differences due to sex were found in the first year of both the overall sample and students majoring in Social Sciences with males getting higher averages. No significant differences were found with regards to differences in age. However, one interaction effect of age and mode was found with older students coming through preliminary mode doing better while younger students coming through direct mode scoring higher averages than their counterparts.
From the study it was concluded that although there were significant differences among the overall sample with regards to the mode of admission, effects of the modes have more impact among students majoring in Education, thus giving support to the Federal Government directives for establishing separate programs for students who studied Education in their pre-degree courses. It was also concluded that as far as degree attainment was concerned females did as well as males. In addition, it was concluded that the probability of obtaining higher grade point averages depends largely on the faculty in which the student is enrolled.
