Prediction of Academic Achievement at the University Level.

The article concerns with an investigation of the role of the ability factor (aptitude and previous achievement) in the academic achievement of students at the university level. It was hypothesized that aptitude and achievement measured by test scores and high school grades, both individually and in combination, would be significant predictors of first year college Final Grade Average, and also individual subject grades. A further purpose of this article was to compare the college academic achievement of males and females. In a survey of the literature from 1950-1959, social scientist observed that women generally attained better grades at college than men. The results of this survey indicate that the best single predictor of the first year college Final Grades Average was the Grade 13 High School Average for both the Male and Female samples. The next best predictor of Final Grade Average for the Male and Female samples was Sequential Tests of Educational Progress Reading. This result reinforces the notion entertained by many educators that the most essential skill for all aspects of academic achievement, is reading.