Predicting Academic Performance in Engineering Using High School Exam Scores

摘要

This study investigated the extent to which high school exam scores predict first-year grade point averages (GPA) and completion of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) programs at a Dutch technical university. It was hypothesized that, of the exam scores, those for mathematics and physics would be the strongest predictors of academic performance. Factor analysis of high school exam scores was performed for a cohort of 1,050 students. Regression analysis of the extracted factors was conducted to predict first-year GPA and B.Sc. completion. The results showed that the Natural Sciences and Mathematics factor (loading variables: physics, chemistry, and mathematics) was the strongest predictor of first-year GPA and B.Sc. completion, the Liberal Arts factor was a weak predictor, and the Languages factor had no significant predictive value. Differences were identified across the B.Sc. programs, with programs that relied strongly on Natural Sciences and Mathematics enrolling better-performing students. Women entered university with higher average exam scores than men, but gender was not predictive of first-year GPA and was a weak predictor (with an advantage for women) of B.Sc. completion. These findings may prove valuable in the development of predictors of academic performance in engineering.