Student academic performance has been a source of concern to academics, researchers and relevant stakeholders at tertiary educational level. This resulted in a situation where academic institutions develop pre-qualification criteria aimed at selecting the best candidates. This study is aimed at exploring the relationship between academic performance and pre-qualification criteria. A content analysis was carried out on the student academic records and O’levels entranced grades in the department of Building Technology in Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH). Both Higher National Diploma (HND) and National Diploma (ND) students between the year 2006-2010 academic results were considered for the analysis. The data collected was analysed using linear and multiple regression technique. The study shows that O’level score in Physic is significant to the academic performance of Building Technology students in the Polytechnic compared to the other O ’ level subjects. The findings indicate that pre-qualification criteria could serve as a predictor of academic performance. These findings support that institutional pre-qualification criteria can provide vital information for admission committees and education policy makers.
Keywords: Academic performance, building technology, grade point average, pre-qualification criteria