Correlational Analysis on Stem Students’ Ncae Scholastic Aptitude, Track Preference, and Occupational Interest, with SHS Academic Performance

In the “new normal,” a non-paper-and-pencil admission process becomes a challenge. This correlational analysis aims to choose possible admission candidates for SHS STEM strand by determining possible connections between the NCAE General Scholastic Aptitude (GSA), STEM Strand Preference (SSP), and Area of Occupational Interest (AOI), with the academic performance (AP) of STEM students of Ateneo de Iloilo (ADI) Senior High School (SHS). The study covered 124 STEM students data protection protocols. It showed that Ateneans have Proficient (85.6%; SD=3.13) AP and Above Average NCAE GSA (school: 93.95%; national: 37.87%) and SSP rating (90.92%). There is also a significant difference in the GWA if classified according to GSA (p=0.00), SSP (p=0.00), and AOI (p=0.031). There is a strong positive correlation (r=0.646, p=0.00) in the students’ GWA and GSA. The same was likewise observed in students’ Grade 11 performance (except PE) and their corresponding GSA areas: scientific ability, reading comprehension, verbal ability, mathematical ability, and logical reasoning ability. The study suggested that the direct relationship between NCAE and Grade 11 AP validates the efficacy of the NCAE instrument as guide in career/strand advising and in approximating students’ potential AP in Grade 11.