A Comparison of the Success of Vocational School Students in Basic Mathematics based upon Their Method of Placement in University

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare vocational school students’ success at basicmathematics subjects with regard to their entrance to the university. The data wereobtained by administering a “Personnel Information Form” and “the MathematicsTest” prepared by the researcher to 617 vocational school students and 26 two-yeardegree programs at the Open University in Turkey. After analyzing the data, a con-siderable statistical difference in basic mathematical knowledge and skills amongstudents was found based on students’ entrance ranks to the programs. The resultsof the research indicated that there is a significant difference in success on mathe-matics courses taken at high schools and universities. On the other hand, there wasno significant difference between men and women on mathematics tests.