Relevance of the Admission Exam for Applicants to the Agricultural Engineering and Animal Production Engineering Programs at UNET

Abstract

Introduction: To explain the relevance of the admissions exam administered to applicants for the Agricultural Engineering and Animal Production Engineering programs at the National Experimental University of Tachira. Methods: Elements of the predictive validity of the performance test or admissions exam, as well as the knowledge test score and the student's grade point average, were taken into consideration. Data collection considered four consecutive cohorts. Results: A segment of students from the public sector (45%) and the private sector (55%) was identified. According to the projections obtained, it was found that the relevance of the test administered and taken by applicants corresponds significantly with the performance experienced by students in the first semester, as demonstrated by the relationship between these tests and the grade point average for three of the four cohorts studied. Analysis: Concern over the relevance and effectiveness of university assessment, support, retention, and admission programs is a constant responsibility of universities. For this reason, the ongoing assessment of admissions and monitoring systems is a challenge for them. Conclusions: The subjects taken by applicants correspond more closely to their academic average than to the areas of knowledge linked to the respective educational assessment on the admissions test.