Personality and learning approaches as predictors of academic performance

Abstract

The aim of this research is to examine what are factors that can be predictors of academic performance in higher education with a specified subject is Math as3 measured by grade point average (GPA). Seven hundred and ninety five students from six universities in Ho Chi Minh City constituted the research‘s sample. By linear regression analysis, three research questions were answered with the dependent variable is Academic Performance (AP). First, the relationship between academic achievement and three approaches to learning was considered and the result is how students apply their leaning approach can reflects their academic success. The findings pointed out that Deep Approach and Strategic Approach have a positive links with outcome. While, Surface approach leads to poor achievement; and it has a negative relation with AP. Second, two traits of personality included introvert and extrovert, were expected to be a good predictor of academic success of students; however, the results shown that there is no relationship between them. Finally, three dimensions of demographic (High school GPA (HSGPA), Admission Mark and monthly family income of students) were tested. After conducting data analysis with multiple regressions, entire independent variables in demographic can forecast academic outcome. Additionally, Admission Mark, HSGPA and income have the positive correlation with academic performance. All factors in this paper are accounted for 35.3 % of the variance academic performance. These findings of study may help teacher as well as students improves the quality in education.