Psychometric Exploration of Congruence between Examinee Ambition and Performance in the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) In Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
- October 24, 2019
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRSI, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VI, Issue X, October 2019 | ISSN 2321–2705
Chege Kimani Gabriel
Moi University, Kenya
Abstract: – According to Kenya’s Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (2008), there is poor management of national examinations. Cases of cheating in national examinations due to poor management of the processes- where leaked papers give some students and schools an unfair advantage over others – have become commonplace. Yet, placement to university is based on national exams. Developed countries use aptitude tests to make placement decisions. Such tests may be proposed for adoption in Kenya but only after establishing their relevance. The purpose of the study was to determine the possible relevance of such tests and in this particular study the researcher sought to find out whether the test taker’s ambition (for higher education) was significantly related to his/her performance in the Scholastic achievement test among Kenyan students. The null hypothesis HO: There is no significant relationship between the examinee’s ambitions for higher education and performance in the Scholastic Achievement Test was tested. The study adopted the Ex-post facto research design. The target population comprised all the 2469 form four students in the twenty four (24) secondary schools in Eldoret town from which eight (8) schools were sampled using the stratified random sampling technique and a sample of 240 students was selected purposively from the eight (8) schools. The data was collected using a past Scholastic Achievement Test. The study data was analysed using ANOVA and it was conducted using SPSS 17 version 22 with the level of significance being α = 0.05. The Null hypothesis was rejected implying that there is a significant relationship between the examinee’s ambition for higher education and their performance in the Scholastic achievement test. Those with high ambition possess a high academic aptitude as indicated by their SAT scores. The implication of the results is that the SAT is unlikely to identify an examinee as having an aptitude for higher education and yet the individual has no ambition or interest in the same. Concerning the examinee ambition therefore, the study recommends that the test of aptitude be considered for adoption because it can be useful in Kenya in placing students who are keen to study further and who would not drop out due to lack of interest.
Keywords: Congruence, SAT, Examinee ambition
