PREDICTING (AND CREATING) SUCCESS IN CS1
Carl Farrell · Issues in Information Systems · 2006
This paper describes a testing process that has shown significant validity at measuring preparedness for success in a rigorous Computer Science 1 course.Basic skills, knowledge, and conceptual abilities are tested with a simple exam, and the results have proven to be very useful for predicting future success in CS1.The exam also provides prescriptive information about areas of deficiency in which students need improvement to be adequately prepared for CS1.This placement exam has been used to determine which students need additional preparation before entering CS1, and a CS0 course has been created to provide a way for students to get a stronger background in many of the areas that are needed for CS1.Details of the testing exam and its predictive abilities are described in the paper, along with recommendations for its most effective use.