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\begin{document}

\title{Academic Performance of Engineering Students; A Predictive Validity
Study of First-Year GPA and Final-Year CGPA}



\author[1]{Abdulhakeem Hassan Nurudeen}%
\author[2]{Abdulnaser  Fakhrou}%
\author[3]{Nuruddeen  Lawal}%
\author[4]{Sara  Ghareeb}%
\affil[1]{University of Abuja Faculty of Engineering}%
\affil[2]{Qatar University College of Education}%
\affil[3]{University of Abuja Faculty of Education}%
\affil[4]{PAAET College of Basic Education}%


\vspace{-1em}



  
  \date{May 21, 2024}


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\begin{abstract}
Background: Students' academic achievement is regarded as the scholastic
standing of students at the end of a given study period that is
expressed in terms of grades. The key to bridging the attainment gap at
the end of their study period is through their cumulative grade points
over the duration of the study. Predictive validity study on students
first-year GPA as a predictor of their final-year CGPA was carried out
to predict the students' academic performance in Chemical, Civil,
Electrical, and Mechanical Engineering. Purpose/Hypothesis: This study
examined the relationship between first-year GPA and final-year CGPA, as
well as the relationship between Age, Gender and Geopolitical zones on
first-year GPA and CGPA of Engineering students in the Faculty of
Engineering students University of Abuja, Nigeria. The data obtained
from the four Departments; Chemical, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical
were analyzed. Two hypotheses were formulated to guide the study.
Design/Method: An ex-post factor research approach was adopted, and
Pearson's correlation and Regression Analysis were fitted with the data
using Minitab software. Results: The results of the study highlighted
that first-year GPA had a strong positive relationship with final-year
CGPA. Age, Gender and Geopolitical zones have no correlation with
students' final-year CGPA. The regression equations can be used to
predict students' CGPA to bridge the attainment gap at the end of their
studies. Conclusions: Finally, the study emphasized the need to admit
more female students in Engineering studies as they constitute 12.9\% of
the population.%
\end{abstract}%



\sloppy


\textbf{Academic Performance of Engineering Students; A Predictive
Validity Study of First-Year GPA and Final-Year CGPA}

\textbf{Abdulhakeem Hassan Nurudeen\textsuperscript{1*}, Abdulnaser
Fakhrou\textsuperscript{2} Nuruddeen Lawal\textsuperscript{3}, Sara
Ghareeb\textsuperscript{4}}

\textsuperscript{1*}Federal College of Horticulture Nigeria

\textsuperscript{2}College of Education, Qatar University

\textsuperscript{3}Educational Foundation, University of Abuja

\textsuperscript{4}College of Basic Education, Kuwait

\textbf{*Corresponding author's email and phone
number:}hnuruddeen15@gmail.com, +2347067725686

*ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9624-8224

\textbf{Other Author's Emails:}

afakhrou@qu.edu.qa (Abdulnaser Fakhrou)

lawal.nurudeen@uniabuja.edu.ng (Nuruddeen Lawal)

sa.ghareeb@paaet.edu.kw (Sara Ghareeb)

\textbf{Acknowledgements}

The authors would like to appreciate the Government of Qatar for funding
this research study through Qatar University High Impact Grant
(QUHI-CED-2022-581) and the Academic Secretary for their contributions
towards the success of this study.

\textbf{Conflict of Interest}

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

\textbf{Hosted file}

\verb`Academic_Performance_of_Engineering_Students.docx`  available at \url{https://authorea.com/users/597501/articles/630516-academic-performance-of-engineering-students-a-predictive-validity-study-of-first-year-gpa-and-final-year-cgpa}

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