Some Correlates of Academic Performance among Students of College of Commerce, Addis Ababa University

Abstract

This study focused on undergraduate students who joined the College of Commerce - Addis Ababa University in 2003/04 AY. It mainly tried to explore if academic achievement motivation, entrance exam, English language skill and other college-related factors were associated with academic performance. This was done by collecting data from sample first year students by means of questionnaire. Another data was collected from 351 randomly selected students on their three-semester performances and cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Descriptive statistics tools, Pearson's correlation, chisquare and coefficient of determination were used for analysis. The qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The study found out that the students' academic achievement motivation was high though there was statistically not significant negative relationship between academic achievement motivation and academic performance observed along first year first semester grade point average (SGPA). On the other hand, the study revealed a statistically significant relationship between entrance exam total score and academic performance, and between English language result and academic performance. Lack of boarding facility, instructors' approaches and shortage of some facilities like the library and counseling services were qualitatively identified to have negatively affected the students' academic performance. In this respect, the female students in particular were found to be afraid of various forms of harassment as they were off-campus residents. The study recommended important measures to be taken like the need to improve the general academic background and the language skill of future college entrants, provide boarding facility and strengthen some essential services.