Factors Contributing to Undergraduate Students’ Underperformance in Terminal Exams: Evidence from United College

Abstract

This study examines the factors contributing to undergraduate students’ underperformance in terminal exams at United College, Lalitpur, Nepal, despite their success in board exams. Using a mixed-method approach, this study surveyed 228 students (76 each from BBM, BCA, and BBS programs) and interviewed 20 underperforming students from United College, Lalitpur, Nepal. Data analysis was done using correlation, regression, and thematic analysis. This study found that career misalignment i.e. students studying subjects that don’t match their interest (β =0.130, *p* = 0.043), social adjustment difficulties (β = 0.176, *p*= 0.012), and personal issues (β = 0.125, *p* = 0.042) were the main reasons for low exam scores, while academic factors (β = -0.014, p = 0.830) and external factors (β = -0.057, p = 0.378) showed negligible impact. To address these issues, the study recommends career guidance, mental health support, and peer mentoring programs to improve motivation, social connections, and academic resilience. The findings highlight the need for col leges to focus not just on academics but also on personal and social factors affecting students’ exam performance.