Investigating the Role of Entrance Screening in Reducing False Positive Students and Predicting Readiness

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship among different success criteria (i.e. HSGPA, GAT, SAAT, ELPT & GPA) for study at an undergraduate level in order to predict readiness among Saudi students and reduce false positives. Design / Method and Approach: Quantitative research design was adopted in this study. The sample of the study included students studying in the Department of English Language at King Faisal University in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected from 336 students using stratified sampling technique. Findings: The results showed that HSGPA was the strongest predictor of success at the university, followed by ELPT scores, while GAT & SAAT scores were far less significant. In addition, the findings illustrated that there was a very small significant difference in academic performance between the students who sat for the ELPT and those who did not. Therefore, receiving institutions may wish to prioritize HSGPA marks. Originality: This study is among very few studies that provide an examination of the relationship among different success criteria (i.e. HSGPA, GAT, SAAT, ELPT & GPA) to predict readiness for study at an undergraduate level in the Saudi context