Placement tests as predictors of student achievement in mathematics, chemistry and humanities

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

12-1-2002

Abstract

The study developed out of the NJIT administration and faculty concern about effectiveness of remedial courses and freshmen retention. After analyzing data on students who dropped out, it was discovered that their performance was especially low on required math, humanities (HSS) and chemistry courses. One of the hypotheses was that the existing placement tests were not instrumental in placing students at appropriate course level in math, HSS and chemistry. After being admitted, all freshman students are required to take placement tests in English and mathematics; chemistry placement test is required for some majors. The population in this study included 12,728 students who took math and English placement tests and 7,183 students who took chemistry tests between 1994 and 2000. The researchers analyzed a set of correlations: (a) between English placement test scores, grades on HSS courses and students retention; (b) between math placement test results, Math 103/104 grades and student retention; (c) between math placement test scores, Math 111 grades and student retention, (d) between chemistry placement test results, freshman chemistry grades and student retention, and (e) between student SAT verbal and math scores and placement test scores and grades on freshman math, chemistry and HSS courses. The results provide important information that would serve the purposes of student placement, remedial education, and freshmen retention.

Identifier

8744240234 (Scopus)

Publication Title

ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings

ISSN

01901052

First Page

12193

Last Page

12198

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS