Orinemi Dennis Horsfall & Professor William J. Ubulom
Psychometric Properties Determination of 2025 WAEC English Language Objectives Test of Public Senior Secondary School Students in Rivers State
Abstract
This study determined the psychometric properties of the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) English Language multiple-choice objective test administered to public senior secondary school students in Rivers State. A descriptive evaluation research design was adopted. The population comprised 59,223 SS3 students, while a sample of 500 students was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using the standardized 2025 WASSCE English Language Objective Test. The validity and reliability of the instrument were assumed to have been established by WAEC experts; however, a pilot study conducted using SPSS produced a Kuder–Richardson Formula 20 (KR-20) reliability coefficient of 0.80. Data were analysed using SPSS. Dimensionality was assessed using Exploratory Factor Analysis, item difficulty using the difficulty index (p-value), item discrimination using the discrimination index (D-index), and distractor effectiveness through the combined interpretation of item difficulty and discrimination statistics. The findings showed that the test demonstrated essential unidimensionality, appropriate item difficulty, acceptable item discrimination, and generally functional distractors, although a few items required improvement. The study concluded that the examination met acceptable psychometric standards but requires periodic item refinement. It was recommended that WAEC should routinely evaluate dimensionality, maintain balanced item difficulty, revise weakly discriminating items, and improve distractor quality.
