Common Problems Encountered by the High School Students of Holy Family Academy During Examination...

Holy Family Academy

Quezon, Nueva Ecija

Common Problems Encountered by the High School Students of Holy Family Academy during Examination Periods for this School Year 2010-2011

Prepared by:

CLG 2

Venus Ocampo

Alexandra Villanueva

Renzy Alejandro

Cesar Dale Soriano

Submitted to:

Mr. Edward L. Acoba

(English Teacher)

School Year 2010-2011

1

January 6, 2011

Mr. Albert E. NortePrincipal, Holy Family AcademyQuezon, Nueva Ecija

Sir:

Christian Greeting!

We, the St. Agnes students, would like to ask good office to please allow us to conduct our survey research in school. Our research is entitled “Common Problems Encountered by the High school Students of Holy Family Academy during Examination Periods for this School Year 2010-2011”.This is partial requirement in our English subject (Research Paper) under Mr. Edward L. Acoba.

Your permission is highly appreciated.Thank you very much.

Yours truly,

Venus M. Ocampo

Alexandra C. Villanueva

Renzy M. Alejandro

Cesar Dale N. Soriano

Noted by:

Edward L. Acoba(English Teacher)

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Acknowledgement

We would like to acknowledge the following persons for helping us in making this research possible:

1. To our beloved parents and guardians, Mr. and Mrs. Malubag, Mr. and Mrs. Villanueva, Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro and Mr. and Mrs. Soriano, who supported us and this research financially.

2. To our very supportive English Literature teacher, Mr. Edward L. Acoba, for guiding us in this research work.

3. To our respondents, the high school students of Holy Family Academy, for their cooperation and participation.

4. To Ms. Sarah Ocampo who helped us in editing, typing and printing this research work.

5. To the owner of G-Net Café, Mrs. April Rose Santillan, for giving us discounts.6. To our classmates, friends and relatives who inspired us while doing this.

Above all, we thank God, for helping us through the challenges and for the gift of life and wisdom.

The Researchers

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Table of Contents

Title Page 1

Approval 2

Acknowledgment 3

Chapter 1Introduction 5

Background of the Study 5Statement of the Problem 5Scope and Delimitations of the Study 6Importance of the Study 6Definition of Terms 7

Chapter 2Methods and Procedure 8

Research Design 8Population of the Study 8Data Gathering Tools 8Treatment of the Data 8

Chapter 3Analysis 9

Table 1.1 9Table 1.2 10Table 1.3 11

Chapter 4Conclusion 12Recommendations 13

Bibliography 15Appendix 16Curriculum Vitae 96

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CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Background of the Study

Examination is a procedure used to evaluate individuals with respect to intelligence. It is especially designed by teachers to measure the achievements of students in assimilating subject matter. Through examination, one can be able to determine his/her learning capability and it can also boost one’s memory level or Intelligence Quotient (IQ) level.

There are many types of exams: periodical test, monthly test, achievement test and entrance exam. These exams mean a lot to the life of a student because it dominantly affects the grades of a student.

According to research there are some problems arousing during examination periods. These includes: panic attacks, exam stress, memory blocks, lack of preparation, undiscussed topics and sometimes there are some financial problems that occur

It is very important to know these problems as early as possible. We should think of some remedies and possible solutions. We should be aware of this topic, because test results are widely used to determine an individual’s future in education and work.

Hence, the purpose of this study is to determine the common problems encountered by students during examinations and give possible solutions or recommendations and this also determines whether these problems affect the (GWA) General Weighted Average of a student.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study aims to determine the common problems encountered by students during examinations and the possible solutions to the problems.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What are the common problems encountered by the students during examinations?2. What are the possible solutions to these problems?

5

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

This study attempted to determine the common problems encountered by students during examinations period.

This study limits its focus on identifying the common problems encountered by students, especially students of Holy Family Academy, during examination period. The average range of the respondents is at least 20 respondents per department.

Importance of the Study

This study aims to asses and determine the common problems encountered by students during examinations. The result that comes out will be the bases of the researcher to come up with some remedies to address such problems of the respondents during examinations. This study is then beneficial to the following:

Students

The students are the primary beneficiaries of the outcome of the study since the recommendations focus on the possible solutions and ways of minimizing these problems. It can be beneficial to students of any year level even in grade school levels.

Teachers

This study then will be useful for them since it gives some recommendations, suggestions or interventions addressing such problems of students during examinations. The suggested interventions may be used by the teachers to help the students solve this arousing problem.

Administrators

The result of this study will serve as bases for decision-making regarding to students’ examination not only to the respondents but also to the entire school.

Parents

It is evident that in this study parents play a great role. Therefore, the result of this study may be a great help for them to help their children to cope with this problem.

Future Researchers

This study may be a rich resource for future researchers on assessing and determining the common problems encountered by students during examination periods.

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Another focus is the independent variables or student’s profile such as gender, age, and General Weighted Average of the respondents. These factors are then evaluated if there is any effect to the said problem of the respondents.

Definition of Terms

In the light of the study, the following terms are given definition:

Attempt - to make an effort to do; accomplish, solve or effect Delimitations - to mark or prescribe the limits or boundaries of; demarcate GWA (General Weighted Average)- is the average grades in all subjects taken whether

passed or failed; is the result of combining the performance rating based on the screening criteria or subject.

Interventions - activities to be done after determining a problem or error IQ (Intelligence Quotient) - is a score derived from one of several different standardized

test designed to asses intelligence Remedies- ways to correct an error Seek - search for; try to find something

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Chapter 2Methods and Procedure

Research Design

This research study uses the descriptive survey research since it involves describing, recording, analyzing and interpreting conditions that currently exist in the research. Data gathered will be presented in the tabular form.

Population of the Study

The target respondents of this study are high school students of Holy Family Academy of Quezon, Nueva Ecija. 25 %.

Data Gathering Tools

In order to come up with a reliable data, the researchers will make use of the following tools:

Survey Questionnaire

To gather information about the common problems encountered by the high school students of Holy Family Academy for the school year 2010-2011the researcher will use the structured type of survey checklist.

Treatment of the Data

The data gathered were quantitatively described and analyzed through the following:

Frequency Counts- this is to determine the total number of respondents who chose certain in the checklist.

Percentage- this is used to determine what percent of the total respondents chose a certain view/option.

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CHAPTER 3Analysis

Table 1.1 shows the total percentage of male respondents regarding the problems (personal and external) that they have encountered during examination periods.

Personal Problems Always Seldom Sometimes Total

Memory blocksPanic attacksExam stressLack of preparationIllness/SicknessNo permitUnder suspensionImproper haircutCommitted violationsTardinessLack of exam materialsLack of knowledge about the topicMisunderstanding of directionsPressureIncomplete uniformClearance

NMR304213233122

0

032

Percentage3.75

05

2.51.253.752.53.753.751.252.52.5

0

03.752.5

NMR378855452343

3

5710

Percentage3.758.751010

6.256.25

56.252.53.75

53.75

3.75

6.258.7512.5

NMR2017138131010812111117

14

1268

Percentage25

21.2516.25

1016.2512.512.51015

13.7513.7521.25

17.5

1517.510

NMR262425181918161617151722

17

171620

Percentage32.530

31.2522.526.2522.52020

21.2518.7521.2527.5

21.25

21.253025

External Problems Always Seldom Sometimes Total

Financial problemsUndiscussed topicsEmergency problemsUnpleasant weather condition

NMR4111

Percentage5

1.251.251.25

NMR3629

Percentage3.757.52.5

11.25

NMR12111112

Percentage15

13.7513.75

15

NMR19181422

Percentage35

22.517.527.5

Based on the table above, among personal problems, memory blocks ranked first gathering 32.5% of responses coming from males, seconded by the exam stress gathering 31.25% of responses, followed by the panic attacks together with incomplete uniform which both gathered 30% of responses. Tardiness which gathered 18.75% of responses was the least among all personal problems.

The top answer among external problems was financial problem which gathered 35% of responses and the least was emergency problems garnering 7.5% of responses.

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Table 1.2 shows the total percentage of female respondents regarding the problems (personal and external) that they have encountered during examination periods.



NFR305211112112

0

300

Percentage

3.750

6.252.51.251.251.251.252.51.251.252.5

0

3.7500

NFR2192015102132135

6

640

Percentage

26.2511.25

2518.7512.52.51.253.752.51.253.756.25

7.5

7.550

NFR161712181718101014131617

22

181113

Percentage

2021.25

1522.521.2522.512.512.517.516.25

2021.5

27.5

22.513.7516.25

NFR402637452821121418152024

28

271513

Percentage

27.4532.5046.2543.7534.9526.25

1517.5022.518.75

2530

35

33.7518.7516.25



NFR0200

Percentage

02.500

NFR9932

Percentage

11.2511.253.752.5

NFR16172118

Percentage

2021.2526.2522.5

NFR25282420

Percentage

31.25353025

Among personal problems, exam stress ranked first with 46.25% of responses, seconded by lack of preparation with 43.75% of responses, followed by misunderstanding of directions with 35% of responses. Under suspension was the least with 15% only of responses.

On external problems, undiscussed topics ranked first garnering 35% responses and unpleasant weather condition ranked least with 25% of responses.

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Table 1.3 shows the total percentage of both male and female respondents regarding the problems (personal and external) that they have encountered during examination periods.



NMFR60942434523

4

0

332

Percentage

7.50

11.255

2.55

3.755

6.252.53.75

5

0

3.753.752.5

NMFR2416282315758447

8

9

111110

Percentage

302035

28.7518.758.756.251055

8.75

10

11.25

13.7513.7512.5

NMFR3634252630282018262427

34

46

301721

Percentage

4542.531.2532.537.528.75

2522.532.530

33.75

42.5

45

37.521.2526.25

NMFR6650625347392830353837

46

55

443133

Percentage

82.562.577.566.2558.7548.75

3537.543.7537.546.25

57.5

56.25

5538.7541.85



NMFR4311

Percentage

53.751.251.25

NMFR1215511

Percentage

1518.756.2513.75

NMFR28283230

Percentage

353540

37.5

NMFR44463842

Percentage

5557.547.552.5

The above table shows that on personal problems, memory blocks ranked first with 82.5% of total responses. It is seconded by exam stress with 77.5% of responses followed by lack of preparation with 66.25% of responses. The least of them was the under suspension with 35% only of responses.

On the other hand, external problems, undiscussed topics ranked first garnering 57.5% of total responses while emergency problems ranked the least with 47.5% of total responses.

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CHAPTER 4

Conclusions

Based on the survey research that has been conducted, the top ten common problems encountered by the high school students of Holy Family Academy for the school year 2010-2011 were as follows:

1. Memory blocks2. Exam stress3. Lack of preparation4. Panic attacks5. Illness/Sickness6. Lack of knowledge about the topic7. Misunderstanding of directions8. Pressure and Financial Problems9. Unpleasant weather conditions10. No permitAccording to the respondents, memory block is their no. 1 problem during examinations.

Getting rid of this problem is very hard especially to those who did not prepare their selves mentally.

Exam stress is another great problem that they have encountered. Many agreed that the questionnaires during exams are really hard to answer especially the calculations in mathematics, causing them to be stressed. They lack of preparation because of their busy schedule. They are not able to prepare or review that much. Some encountered panic attacks because they are not prepared for the examination, they didn’t review the given topics for the upcoming examination.

One unavoidable problem that they have encountered was illness/sickness. It can strike you even when there’s an examination.

Lack of knowledge about the topic happens when the student did not listen to the teachers during discussions.

Many of them misunderstand the given directions because they are not reading it carefully or they are not reading the direction at all. They are being pressured because of the given time limit. Maybe the given time was not enough to answer a certain subject.

Financial problem is really a problem especially to those who do not have stable family income.

The classes are automatically suspended when the weather is unpleasant and the examination will be delayed if there is. Some fail to take exam because they fail to ask permission slip.

These are the top ten Common Problems that have been encountered by the students of Holy Family Academy for the school year 2010-2011.

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Recommendations

Panic attacks

Almost every student faces panic attack during his exam .The signs of these panic attacks are nervousness, increased heart beat, sweating, and increased breathing rate. Negative thoughts dominate the mind of the student facing such panic attacks. The reason is incomplete preparation. A student having incomplete preparation is not confident of his performance and is more prone to get such attacks. Moreover huge expectations of relatives may bring down the moral of a candidate.

Thus the best solution to prevent such attacks is to go fully prepared. Moreover the candidate should make himself mentally strong. He should think that getting nervous will only worsen the situation.

Don't allow yourself to get stuck on a question for too long; you must pace yourself so that you can complete the exam in time. When you are stumped by a question, try rewriting it. Do try and complete any bonus or supplemental questions.

Don't get caught up in how fast other classmates complete their tests; take your time and make certain you answer all required sections/questions.

Do try and save time to complete one final review of your test before you submit it, but don't make too many changes to your answers in haste or doubt.

Memory blocks

Memory block means forgetting an answer which you know in the examination hall. This is also one of the most common problems faced by students during the exams. The solution to this is practicing model test papers before exams strictly according to exam patterns.Moreover if you are unable to recollect the answer to a question leave it and come back to it after some time. In this case chances of your recollecting the answer are increased.

Exam stress

Don't study in a place with lots of distractions, but do find the place that best works for you. Don’t stay up late the night before an exam. Do arrive to class a few minutes early so that you can get situated comfortably in your seat and mentally prepare for the exam, but don't get caught up in any last-minute jitters from other students.

Lack of preparation/ Lack of knowledge about the topic

Do consider attending classes and completing your reading assignments well ahead of the test as part of your test-taking preparation. Both attending lectures and completing the reading assignments are essential aspects of test preparation and academic success. Don't waste too much

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time preparing to study for the exam; instead, spend the bulk of your time studying for the exam. Do your best to plan far ahead of the test date so that you can block out plenty of study time

Do get information about all aspects of the test as you can -- including the types of questions (true/false, multiple choice, short answer, and essay are the most common), the chapters/readings the test will cover, the amount of time you'll have to take the test, and any supporting materials you need to bring with you to the test.

Illness/Sickness

Getting a good night's sleep will greatly enhance your test-taking abilities. And do watch your diet; eating well help your brain and body function better. Do take good care of your health frequently so you might not miss any single day spending in bed.

Misunderstanding of directions

Don't ignore any directions you receive with the exam. Make certain you understand the test's instructions before you start taking it.

Financial problems

Know your budget for the exam. Calculate if it is enough to pay the matters so that you can pay what’s lacking. If you have nothing to pay, inform the school treasurer or cashier as early as possible to seek for alternative solutions.

Unpleasant weather condition

Be updated about the latest weather condition. Do not schedule examinations if there are storm signals or any unpleasant conditions. Schedule examinations during day time. Weather conditions during the day are better than late afternoons.

No permit

Accomplish the necessary requirements needed before an examination. Make sure that you have paid the necessary fees and you have acquired the signs of your teacher. Prepare your examination slips early so they won’t bother you during examination periods.

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Bibliography

“Common problems Encountered by the High School Students during Examination Periods” 10 Jan. 2011. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. <http://www.wikipedia.org/>

Paul Engelking. “Problems Encountered by Students in Exams and their Solutions”. Microsoft Student. New York: Schocken, 2009.

“GWA (General Weighted Average)”. New Webster Family Encyclopedia, 1995 ed.

“attempt”. The New Lexicon Webster's Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language. 1988 ed.

“IQ (Intelligence Quotient)”. New Webster Family Encyclopedia, 1995 ed.

“Interventions” New Webster Family Encyclopedia, 1995 ed.

“Remedies” New Webster Family Encyclopedia, 1995 ed.

“Seek” New Webster Family Encyclopedia, 1995 ed.

“Delimitations” New Webster Family Encyclopedia, 1995 ed.

“Test-Taking Do's and Don'ts: Key Tips for Academic Success” 15 Feb. 2011 MyCollegeSuccessStory.com. <http://www.mycollegesuccessstory.com/academic-success-tools/test-taking-dos-donts.html>

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