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How Does Level Three National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Economics Standards Performance Predict Academic Attainment in a First-Year Microeconomics Course?

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With business studies now an option alongside traditional economics and accounting at NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) level three in secondary schools, many students interested in business may not have taken economics before university. This study examines whether prior completion of level three NCEA economics predicts higher academic success in an introductory microeconomics course. After controlling for a range of other variables, studying economics at secondary school is found to be significantly correlated with higher academic achievement in a university introductory economics class. These findings may help guide course advice for high school students considering business studies at university. Findings may inform course selection information given to high school students considering studying business at university, as well as assist economics departments in offering more targeted support to students with no prior economics experience.

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  • Steve Agnew & Paul Bostock & Ellie Kay & Kaylene Sampson & Russell Wordsworth, 2024. "How Does Level Three National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Economics Standards Performance Predict Academic Attainment in a First-Year Microeconomics Course?," Working Papers in Economics 24/17, University of Canterbury, Department of Economics and Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:cbt:econwp:24/17
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    Keywords

    NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement); Level Three economics; First-year university performance; Academic achievement predictors; Introductory microeconomics;
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