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Proceedings of the 9 Symposium on Applied Science, Business & Industrial Research – 2017
ISSN 2279-1558, ISBN 978-955-7442-09-9

A Study on Identifing Factors Affecting on Student’s GPA : A Case Study
in the Faculty of Applied Sciences Wayamba University of Sri Lanka

Rahubaddha RKDN, Panahatipola PMOP
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
damithrahubaddha@rocketmail.com
ABSTRACT

GPA (Grade Point Average) is the key indicators of undergraduates’ performance.
Many employees use the GPA to screen out the job candidate and they mostly prefer a
candidate with a higher GPA. Identifying the factors which are affect the GPA value of the
undergraduates are important since those factors can be used to improve the performance
of not only the present undergraduates but also the future undergraduates. Therefore, the
aim of this study is to identify those factors which are affecting the GPA of the
undergraduates. Third year undergraduates of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Wayamba
University of Sri Lanka in academic year 2014/15 were included in this study. A
questionnaire was distributed among the students to collect necessary data. The GPA
values were used as the performance measure to identify the factors affecting to the GPA
value among the students and Multiple Regression Analysis was used as the statistical
technique. According to the study, the foundation got in the first year, total number of
repeats, involvement in sports, participation in the informal revision classes conducted by
students, are the main factors which directly affect the GPA of third year undergraduates.

KEYWORDS: GPA, Factors, Multiple regressions,

1 INTRODUCTION 2 LITERATURE REVIEW

The Faculty of Applied Sciences is University student’s learning process
one of the main faculties in the Wayamba was considered as an interacting system
University. Currently over 600 with three set of variables by Biggs
undergraduates are doing their academic (1989) 3P model. Those three variables
studies in the Faculty of Applied are learning environment, student
Sciences. It is one of the most popular characteristics and finally, student
faculties in the University and has a great approach to learning and learning
reputation of producing high quality outcomes.
graduates who hold important positions in According to Sibanda, Iwu and
academia, government institutions and in Benedict (n.d.), first year foundation,
the industry contributing immensely satisfaction about their language skills
towards the development of the country. and information technology skills are
The main goal of this study is some of the factors correspond to third
identifying the factors affecting GPA variable. According to Talbot (1990)
value among the students in Faculty of interaction between the lecturer and the
student, motivation getting from the
Applied Sciences. lectures is also important factors for GPA.

Determining the factor which has the A study of McKenzie & Schweitzer
highest impact on GPA value is another (2001), identified factors directly
rd
main objective. In this project, the 3 affecting the GPA, such as university
year undergraduates of the Faculty of entry score’s, student institution
Applied Sciences are considered. integration, self-efficacy, employment
responsibilities, etc. According to Killen

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