High-Stakes Testing for Admission to the University: A Pre- and Trans-Pandemic Comparison (Poster 19)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Three
  In Poster Session: Measurement Theory and Application 2

Abstract

The effect of the pandemic on higher education students’ learning must be evaluated. The objective of this study was to compare scores in a high-stakes large-scale admission exam in a Mexican university, before and during the pandemic. Test results of 447,352 students examined in 2019, 2020 and 2021 were analyzed. Exams were multiple-choice question tests with evidence of validity and equivalence. Results showed differences in percent correct scores, with higher scores in the 2020 cohort (2019=45.8%, 2020=48.1%, 2021=46.7%) (all comparisons p<0.0001). In this large population of students that finished high school in pandemic conditions, a decrease in knowledge was not found. During the first year of the pandemic scores were higher, suggesting motivation helped maintain or even increase learning.

Authors

• Melchor Sanchez-Mendiola, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
  Presenting Author

• Manuel García-Minjares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
  Non-Presenting Author

• Enrique Buzo Casanova, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
  Non-Presenting Author

• Adrián Martínez-González, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
  Non-Presenting Author