Competence In Mathematics And Academic Achievement: An Analysis Of Enrollees In The Bachelor Of Science In Actuarial Science Program
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Journal of Business Education
Abstract
This study investigates the role of prior grounding attained in mathematics in predicting the academic
achievement of enrollees in Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science (BSAS). The investigation is
based on administrative records of 240 BSAS enrollees at Makerere University, School of Statistics
and Planning in the 2007–2009 cohorts. Students’ graduating Cumulative Grade Point Average
(CGPA) was adopted as a measure of their academic achievement. Mathematics grade scores obtained
by the students in their Advanced level (A-level) of secondary education were adopted as a measure of
competence in the discipline. Academic achievement was modeled in the analysis by enrollees’
characteristics and their competence in mathematics using a robust regression. The results revealed
that students’ CGPA increases with their A-level mathematics scores. A similar pattern is observed
when the assessment is made using a combined weighted score of enrollees adopted on admission to
the program. The findings confirm that 1) prior academic qualifications predict enrollees’ academic
achievement and 2) competence in A-level mathematics predicts success in the program.
Description
Keywords
Academic Achievement, Actuarial Science Students, Prior Academic Qualifications
Citation
Wamala, R., Maswere, D. W., & Mwanga, Y. (2013). Competence in Mathematics and academic achievement: an analysis of enrollees in the Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science Program. American Journal of Business Education (AJBE), 6(3), 401-408.