COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF COGNITIVE LEVELS OF MATHEMATICS- TEST- ITEMS OF CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION IN WESTERN SENATORIAL ZONE OF NASARAWA STATE

This study assessed the Comparative Analysis of Cognitive Levels of Mathematics- Test- Items of Continuous Assessment and Junior Schools Certificate Examination in Western Senatorial zone of Nasarawa State between 2013-2015. The researchers analyzed the taxonomic spread of the content and levels ofcognitive ofJSCE and CA Mathematics questions for 2013 - 2015 sessions. The JSCE Mathematics Curriculum, CA and JSCE Mathematics question papers were the main sources of data. 191 performance objectives from the Core Curriculum, 256 questions from CA and 192 questions from JSCE examination papers were classified against the levels ofcognitive using Table ofS pecification. The results indicated that there are comparative differences in spread oftopics and | levels of cognitive in CA and JSCE. Besides, questions emphasized more of lower levels of the cognitive as knowledge and comprehension in continuous assessment test than JSCE. It was concluded that the Table of Specification was not adequately use during construction of CA and JSCE test items. It was therefore, recommended that teachers and examiners of JSCE should employ the services of test experts to ensure adequate use of Table of Specifications in their test development and ensure contents and items spread.