Estimating Standard Error of Measurement in BECE 2022 Basic Science Multiple Choice Test Items “in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State” Using Bootstrap Methods

Abstract

Evaluation is an essential concept in educational setting which is usually carried out through measurement process to ascertain each testakers abilities in a population during testing and this can be done by determining the standard error of measurement. This study used Bootstrap methodologies to assess the standard error of measurement for the 2021 Basic Education Certificate Examination. This study was conducted using a descriptive research approach. The population consisted of 3,504 Upper Basic Secondary School three (JSS3) pupils from 14 public and 20 private institutions. A multistage selection approach was used to pick 350 students from five (5) and ten (10) public and private Upper Basic Secondary schools using stratified, simple random, and proportional sample sizes. The data collecting instrument consisted of sixty (60) multiple choice items from the 2022 BECE, Basic Science, and Technology multiple choice test. The instrument's dependability was tested using the Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR 20) to determine internal consistency.  It returned a result of 0.91. The acquired data was examined using bootstrap statistics and the bootstrap t-test for independent samples. The results of this research indicated that there was moderate diversity in the test scores of pupils in public as well as private educational institutions for the 2022 BECE of Basic Science and Technology multiple choice exam questions.  It also revealed that the scores of private Junior Secondary School three (3) students had more variability than those from the public Junior Secondary School.  It was recommended that test should be administered fairly and consistently in both private and public schools which will help to create equitable testing environment for all students, regardless of whether they attend private or public schools.