STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENT IN BASIC SCIENCE AS PREDICTOR OF ACHIEVEMENT IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL BIOLOGY IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined how students' performance in Basic Science can predict their achievement in Senior Secondary School Biology in Benue State, Nigeria. One key objective was identified to guide the research, which led to the formulation of a research question and a corresponding hypothesis, tested at a 0.05 level of significance. The study employed an Ex-post facto research design, with a population of 6,950 students comprising 4,698 Senior Secondary School Student III (SSS3) students who participated in the 2020 NECO SSCE Biology and 2,252 students who sat for the 2017 NECO BECE. The sample included 881 student results.
Data collection was carried out using examination items and a proforma, with the assistance of NECO staff to gather students’ scores. The data was analysed using Mean, Standard Deviation, and Pearson Product-Moment Correlation (PPMC) for the research questions, while multiple regression analysis was applied to test the hypothesis at a 0.05 significance level. The findings indicated a low positive correlation between BECE Basic Science scores and NECO SSCE Biology scores, suggesting that the 2017 BECE Basic Science scores did not significantly predict the 2020 NECO SSCE Biology achievement. The study concluded
that Basic Science scores do not significantly predict Biology achievement in the NECO SSCE. Based on these results, the study recommended that students’ placement in science classes at the senior secondary level should not be solely based on their Basic Science performance in the BECE, as other influencing factors contribute to their achievement in science.