Undergraduate Students’ Perception of Exit Examination at Haramaya University

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate students' perceptions of undergraduate programs in relation to exit examinations, employing a mixed research design. A total of 145 students participated in the study. Deans, Department Heads, and College Quality Assurance Coordinators were selected based on availability and purposive sampling methods. The study focused on three colleges each with four years program durations, including Colleges of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), Business and Economics (CBE), and Natural and Computational Sciences (CNCS). Two departments were randomly selected from each college, ensuring equal representation. Survey data was analyzed using mean, stepwise regression, and one-way ANOVA, while interview data was directly cited from respondents. Results of the study revealed that students' perceptions on exit exams varied across colleges, with CBE students demonstrating a more positive perception compared to CSSH and CNCS. Stepwise regression analysis identified significant predictor variables, including anxiety, stress, risk of exclusion, and resource scarcity, all of which influenced students' perceptions of exit examinations. Overall, the study found that students  held negative perceptions of exit exams. It was evident that factors such as anxiety, stress, unknown contents of the exam, risk of exclusion, and resource constraints contributed to the undesirable perceptions. A collaborative approach involving various stakeholders, including Ministry of Education (MoE), educational institutions and departments is necessary to reduce excessive stress and anxiety levels, emphasize the importance of exit examinations, address resource deficiencies, and undertake a nationwide study. MoE need to formulate a well-defined policy concerning students who do not successfully pass their exit exams.