Academic Readiness Profile of First-Year Education Students: Basis for a Mathematics Enhancement Program

This study assessed the academic readiness profile of first-year education students as a basis for the development of a Mathematics Enhancement Program (MEP). Specifically, the study described the students’ academic performance in Mathematics, English, and Science during senior high school, as well as their aptitude test scores, entrance examination results, and college academic performance. The study employed a descriptive research design. The respondents consisted of 177 first-year education students enrolled in one of the state universities in Iloilo Province, Philippines, during Academic Year 2024–2025. Data were obtained from official academic records, aptitude test results, entrance examination scores, and first-semester General Weighted Average (GWA). Descriptive statistical tools, including mean and standard deviation, were utilized in the analysis of data. Findings revealed that the respondents achieved a Very Satisfactory level in Mathematics (M = 89.64, SD = 3.81) and Outstanding levels in English (M = 90.80, SD = 3.80) and Science (M = 90.47, SD = 3.90). However, the students demonstrated only a Basic level of performance in the entrance examination (M = 50.13, SD = 8.90) and a Low level in the aptitude test (M = 52.28, SD = 30.64). Despite these results, the respondents attained a Very Good level of college academic performance based on their first-semester GWA (M = 1.85, SD = 0.24). The findings suggest that while students possess strong academic foundations in core subjects, there remains a need to strengthen mathematical reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Consequently, a Mathematics Enhancement Program was proposed to address identified learning gaps and improve students’ academic readiness for tertiary education.