EXPLORING CRAMMING AMONG POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS: EVIDENCE FROM MALAYSIA

The objectives of this research was to measure how much learning cramming strategies were used and what was the level of learning retention impact on selected polytechnics students final examination in Malaysia. Cramming i.e last minutes study is part of the students learning habits especially for their final examination. Lecturers and tutors are encouraged to provide consistent and frequent evaluations to prevent students from making cramming as part of the learning behavior.
The independent variables in this study were extreme cramming, keeping current and reviewing for exams, keeping current and cramming for exams , students’ opinions about cramming strategies, determination of study strategies, study strategies employed for the Principles of Marketing. A structured 25 items- questionnaires were employed to measure the level of cramming activities among students for their final examination. Students in the fifth semester from four polytechnics were chosen as respondents. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed, but only 203 were returned and analysed. The result of the analysis showed that all the independent variables were significantly related to the academic performance of the students. It was found that together the predictor variables explained 14.5% of the variance in the academic performance of the polytechnic students. However, students learn better when they did not procrastinate in learning . The implications of the study and further research were discussed and recommended.