Factors Affecting Arab Open University (AOU) Students’ Low Accumulative Gpas

Abstract

This study intended to explore the factors behind students’ low accumulative grade point average (GPA) among AOU learners.  Six hundred and nine 609 students (females = 415; males =194) completely filled out a  questionnaire. The responses were calculated by statistical analysis in terms of means, standard deviations, one-way analysis (ANOVA) and the Person correlation coefficient. It was found that the major factors which might contribute to low GPAs of these learners are mainly (I) students' factors, (ii) teaching and guidance, (iii) affective factors (motivation and interest), (iv) students' family and residence, and (v) tests and exams. Age, marital status, gender, monthly income, faculty branch, specialty in high school, and the type of high school have no significant correlations with students’ GPAs. Students’ GPAs correlated significantly (r=0.178, p<0.01, r=0156, p<0.01 and r=0.087, p<0.05) with their nationality, high school grades and high school graduation year. A high negative significant correlation (r=-.184, p<0.05) between admission in university and students’ GPAs was found. More, Students’ jobs and their completed credits have scored negative significant correlations (r=-.100, p<0.05 and r=-.102, p<0.05) with their GPAs.