High Failure Rate in Mathematics Subjects: Influencing Factors and Study Styles

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to determine factors that contribute to theEngineering Calculus subject failures and to analyse the study styles ofstudents taking this course. Based on the literature search, these factorsare categorised into three domains which are students’ attitude, students’background and teacher-related factors. A survey research was done to asample of engineering degree students who are taking Engineering Calculussubject at their third semester. It was found that non-systematic study styleis the greatest factor which has been claimed by the respondents as themain reason for their failures. Besides this, a majority of the students arecomfortable with studying alone, as compared to taking part in study groupor seeking help from lecturers. These findings suggest that corrective actionsshould be taken by the students, lecturers, as well as the faculty in order tocope with the alarming failure rate of mathematics subject.