THE RELATIONSHP BETWEEN POST UME SCORES AND STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, YOLA

Popoola, S.F.

Department of Educational Foundations,

University of Jos, Nigeria

Email: funsoiye@yahoo.com

Abstract: In the past, JAMB has been the sole examination body responsible for conduct of qualifying examination into tertiary institutions in Nigeria until introduction of Post University Matriculation Examination (PUME) as a “child of necessity” due to the fact that doubt has been brought to the credibility of JAMB/UME scores. Shortly after its introduction PUME, has been faced with its share of public criticisms from different segments of the society. This study therefore seeks to examine the relationship between Post UME Scores and Students’ Academic Achievement in Federal University of Technology, Yola. The researcher used estimated population size of two thousand, five hundred (2500) candidates from which a sample of four hundred and Sixty-eight (468) was drawn, using stratified and purposive random sampling. The study employed correlation research design and used adapted existing pro-forma for data collection. The appropriateness of instrument was rated at 83 percent with 0.83 rational validity index. The findings revealed that the relationship between Post University Matriculation Examination Screening and students’ first year result was not significant in Federal University of Technology, Yola. The researcher recommends among others PUME be strengthened through the use of uniform standard as well as valid and reliable instrument. Keywords: JAMB Examination, PUME, Public Criticisms, Student Academic Achievement