Comparing Online and Face-to-Face Mathematics Examination Results of Students in a Particular University in South Africa: A Case Study.

The study compares the online and face-to-face Mathematics examination results of students in a particular university in a South African higher Learning Institution. Literature was reviewed to establish what is being said about online as compared to face-to-face examinations. The examination results for Mathematics 1 and 2, both online and face-to-face, at a particular university in South Africa, were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively and compared. The results analysed in Mathematics 2 were for the same students who passed Mathematics 1 and proceeded to Mathematics 2. Both Mathematics 1 and Mathematics 2 had online and face-to-face tests. There was a discrepancy between the online and the faceto-face results. Mathematics 1 had 1994 students enrolled and had a pass rate of 93% out of 1030 who wrote the examination, and a success rate of 48%. Mathematics 2, which had 2283 students enrolled, had a pass rate of 77 % out of 1550 who wrote the examination and a success rate of 53%. For both modules, the online component was far better as compared to the face-to-face component. The results made the university very careful when it comes to online tests or examinations. Only proctored online tests or examinations should be given.