TRENDS OF CHANGES AND GENDER DIFFERENCES IN INTELLECTUAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND PHYSICAL ABILITIES AT THE ENTRANCE EXAM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND POLICE STUDIES
Keywords:
gender-based differences, entrance exam, selection process, trend analysis, the University of Criminal Investigation and Police StudiesAbstract
Purpose
The entrance exam for the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies (UCIPS) concludes the selection process, evaluating candidates through High School Success (HSS), the Serbian Language Test (SLT), General Knowledge Test (GKT), and Basic Physical Abilities Test (BPA). The aim of this research is to determine gender-based differences in all segments of the entrance exam. Additionally, trends in HSS, SLT, GKT, and BPA over four years have been analyzed, along with a comparison of results across different generations.
Design/Methods/Approach
The sample was composed of candidates who took the entrance exam from 2018 to 2021 and were granted admission. Out of a total of 1339 candidates (551 females and 788 males), 308 students (120 females and 188 males) were enrolled, whose results were analyzed in accordance with the objectives of the study. Analysis began with descriptive statistics and continued with an independent t-test to assess gender differences, while MANOVA was used to evaluate generational success. Additionally, a trend analysis was conducted over the four-year period. In all analyses, statistical significance was set at p < 0.005.
Findings
Significant gender differences were identified BMA in favor of males across all generations, while females achieved better results on SLT in 2019/20 and HSS in 2018/19. Other segments showed no significant differences. Further analysis revealed improvements in most performances from 2018 to 2020, after which the scores stabilized in 2020 and 2021. This may be attributed to a more stringent selection process, with a higher ratio of candidates competing for fewer available spots, namely a lower percentage of applicants being enrolled.
Originality/Value
This research provides insights into trends and gender-based differences within the selection process, which can contribute to the improvement of both the selection system and gender equality. Additionally, the analysis of results indicates an improvement in the knowledge and abilities of candidates over the observed selection period at UCIPS, which could positively impact the efficiency of their studies.
Keywords: gender-based differences, entrance exam, selection process, trend analysis, the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies
About the author
Danijela Spasic is an associate professor at the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies in Belgrade, at the Department of Police Sciences. She completed her master's and doctoral studies at the Faculty of Security, where she defended her doctoral dissertation entitled The Concept of Community Policing and Domestic Violence. She is a member of the American Society of Criminology - Division of Policing (from 2019 until today). Narrow area of research interests: position and role of women in the security sector, women's human rights and the principles of gender equality, security and victimological aspects of gender-based violence, human security, policing.
Radivoje Janković, PhD, serves as an Associate Professor at the UCIPS, Department of Specialized Physical Education. He completed both his MSc and PhD at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Belgrade. His research spans a wide range of topics within sports science and police training. This includes exploring the dynamics between intellectual capacities, personality development, and physical fitness, assessing their impact on professional and academic performance in law enforcement settings. The scope of his studies broadly investigates physical fitness, preparatory training efficacy, and the development of competencies in police education.
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