SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
University of the Philippines College Admission Test Results and
Academic Performance of STEM Students in City of Calamba,
Laguna A.Y 2020 -2021
A Quantitative Research Presented to
the Senior High School Faculty of
LAGUNA COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ARTS
City of Calamba
In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for Practical Research 2
Banaticla, Pauline M.
Cribello, Athena Margaux P.
Dimaano, John Paul G.
OCTOBER 2020
Academic performance refers to the knowledge attained and designated by
marks, assigned by teacher. In educational context, academic performance is the
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
educational goal to be achieved by a student, teacher or institution over a certain
period, it is to be measured either by examinations or continuous assessments and the
goal may differ from one individual or institution to another. Basically, it is the
outcome of education, the extent to which a student, teacher or institution aimed for
their educational goals. Academic performance of students is also the center of whole
education system revolves, since preschool it is being used. The success and failure of
any educational institution is measured in terms of academic performance of students.
(Abdullah and Narad, 2016) Academic performance is indicated by their grades that
is in driven by various factors. Its factors are predicted to be cognitive and non-
cognitive. A number of researchers have examined the role of non-cognitive variables
such as study skills, study motivation, study behavior, study habits, and attitudes on
academic achievement.(Mendezabal, 2013)
Among various factors the most familiar non-cognitive indicator on academic
performance is by a person’s habits. A habit is a second nature, it is what we do on a
daily basis without being put pressure. In The Power of Habit, a habit is describe to
emerge without our permission, that it is based on a person’s willpower that isn’t just
a skill. It’s a muscle, like the muscles in your arms or legs, and it gets tired as it works
harder, so there’s less power left over for other things. (Duggs, 2012). It is simply
done, no reservations, no excuses, and no expectations. In studying, a study habit is;
planning out a dedicated schedule, reviewing after class notes, applying time on task
of learning. It is stated by Khurshid, 2012 that without it, one does not grow and
becomes self-limiting in life. Study habits tell a person that how much he will learn
and how far he wants to go, and how much he wants to earn. These all could be
decided with the help of one’s study habits, throughout the life. In mathematics
performance of students in Philippine State University, Guinocor, Almerino ,
Mamites, Lumayag , Villaganas ,and Capuyan (2020), that when it comes to the
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
completion of tasks, time management, and study skills, the “Superior” group of
students which are good study habits performed far higher compared to the other two
identified groups, Good and very good. According to Menzel, cited by Rana and Kausar (2011),
many students fail not because they lack ability but because they do not have adequate study skills. Students
who have difficulty in college frequently do not have adequate study habits that affect their academic
achievement. However, bad study habits are described by the practice of
procrastination, absenteeism, not taking down notes, poor reading
habits and studying with distractions like watching TV, studying with
friends, listening to distractive music, cramming and studying in
cramped conditions. Moreover, Ossai (2011) stressed that lousy study
habits are negative or non-productive study habits, which bring
adverse effects to the academic performance of the students. Leithwod
and Riehl (2003) said that when these habits are developed and used
by the students, these will hinder their academic progress and
performance.(Reylan Capuno 1, Renante Necesario 2, Jonathan Olores
Etcuban 1*, Raymond Espina 1, Gengen Padillo 1, Ramil Manguilimotan,
2019)
On Academic performance, not only the schools and students want to achieve high
grades, but parents also have very high expectations from students with respect to
their academic performance, as they believe that better academic results may lead to
better career options and future security. Because of the component that academic
performance is part of the basis for entering entrance exams. Till the recent past, the
GPA of the high school examinations were the sole basis on which college admission
decisions were taken. This made the chances of admissions to universities and colleges
varying from school to
school.
Academic performance of students has been the subject of intensive research over the past years. It has
become an issue of standards and quality in education as judged from the performance of students in
national licensure and board examinations. However, various reports have documented the poor
examination performance of students. For example the report of the PRC on performance of graduates
in the different licensure and board examinations which has been declining in the last ten years. The
overall passing rates are quite low (around 36% on the average). In the 2010 professional licensure
examinations given by the PRC, almost 70 percent of college graduates in the country failed and, last
year, only 125,419 of the 345,182 or 36.3 percent college and technical school graduates passed their
respective professional eligibility examinations, as per PRC records. This statistics were based on the
results of licensure examinations for 45 groups of professionals. Among the lowest number of passing
rates were posted by: elementary teachers (15.4 percent); secondary teachers (23.3 percent); electronic
engineers (23.5 percent); and registered electrical engineers (31.9 percent) (Philippine Education
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Sector Assessment Project, 2011). Other report provided data about education standard; indicating that
deterioration had occurred in all fields of education in the society. The low performance of students in
licensure examinations has important ramifications to educators, schools and the educational system in
general. Hence, there is a need to look into the factors that contribute to the academic performance of
students.
