Identifying high risk students in mathematics and physics: the role of secondary high school final examination, control of variables formal schemata and integrated process skills

Abstract

Tests on control of variables formal schemata (CV) and integrated process skills (IPS) were made on two student samples of freshmen in mathematics and physics branches. The CV, IPS test scores and results of the final Secondary High School Examination (HSE) were used together as ‘independent’ variables for predicting academic success (AS) during university studies. Both multi‐step regression analysis and discriminant analysis indicate that HSE is the best single predictor with only a marginal contribution from IPS and CV, which are already ‘included’ as results in HSE. We conclude that the HSE score could be useful in helping educational staff to assist freshmen in mathematical and physical studies.