Comparative Analysis Of Students’ Performance In May/June SSCE Organized By Waec And Neco: The Issue Of Standards:- Akanwa, U. N

Abstract The stanine grades earned by students in the May/June SSCE organized by WAEC and NECO from 1998-2001 were comparatively analyzed. The sample comprised of 75,724 students who satforfive science andfour non-science subjects in 18 secondary schools in Abia State. Four research questions were answered and three null hypotheses tested. A general downward trend was observed with respect to the standards of academic performance from 1998-2001. The percentages ofalpha and credits recorded in WAEC's SSCE witnessed consistent and significant decreasesfrom 1998-2000 but a significant increase in 2001. Significant differences noted in the percentages of alpha and credits in 2000-2001 were highest in chemistry (32.9% and 65.2% respectively). In WAEC, the percentages of alpha and credits were lowest in English (12.8%) followed by Mathematics (13.9%). These subjects also occupied the last two positions in NECO SSCE. Mathematics recorded the lowest percentages of alpha and credits (20.9%) but English had (27.7%) in NECO SSCE. Further comparative studies of WAEC and NECO's activities plus intervention programmes that will ensure that standards are not compromised on the altar ofcompetition were recommended