A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN WASSCE AND NECO EXAMINATIONS

ABSTRACT: This work made a Comparative study of Students‟ Performance in WAEC and NECO in Imo state, Nigeria (2011-2015). It comparatively ascertained the relationship in the performance of students in WAEC and NECO in mathematics, biology and physics, using 8 secondary schools in Imo state. As a descriptive research, the study population comprised 8 secondary schools in Imo State. The researcher, therefore, used WAEC and NECO grading of candidates, who scored A1-C6, D7, E8,and F9 in Senior Secondary School, which have presented candidates for West African Examinations Council in the last five years. The instrument used to collect data for the study was an inventory titled Secondary Schools Academic Performance Inventory (SSAPI). The data collected were analyzed using simple percentages with frequency distribution tables showing the extent of the degree to measure students‟ performance and mean scores to estimate the relationships between the variables of the study. 7 objectives and 7 research questions were asked and formulated to guide the study.  It was found that the performance of students in NECO with particular reference to Mathematics and Sciences Subjects for the years 2011 to 2015 in Imo state was low. The study revealed that there was a significant difference between students grades in WAEC and in their NECO results. Procurement and disbursement of instructional materials, provision of adequate and modern equipment and library facilities coupled with enough co-curricular activities be assured. It was recommended that the State Ministry of Education should provide more infrastructural facilities to decongest large classrooms, provide more regular inspection to Schools.