Contribution of Prior Academic Achievement, Family Background and Peer Support to First Year Students’ Academic Performance at Salale University

Abstract

The academic performance of university students is affected by multiple factors; including prior academic achievement, family background, and psychological factors, and so on. So the main aim of this study was to examine the contribution of prior academic achievement (university entrance exam (UEE), preparatory average mark (PAM), and scholastic aptitude test (SAT)); family background (family education, family income, number of siblings and residence area), and peer support to first-year academic performance at Salale University. The study employed a cross-sectional and correlation study design. A total of 320 students were selected using stratified and systematic sampling techniques from a population of 1600 regular freshman students who enrolled into Salale University in the 2012 E.C academic year. The study used both primary and secondary data that were analyzed by using linear regression analysis. The result revealed that among prior academic achievement variables included in the study PAM contributed 26.70% and SAT contributed 23.80% to the UGPA. Moreover, among family background variables parent education level has 12.0% contribution; family income has accounting 1.60%, and number of siblings contributed 8.90% to UGPA. And also the result showed that peer support was 7.60% accounted for predictor variable. Among the variables incorporated in the study, PAM has the highest contribution to first-year first semester UGPA. Finally, it is recommended that the ministry of science and higher education, and other admission personnel should give more emphasis to PAM and review the appropriateness of other factors that improve university GPA.