Finding statistical models using psychometric tests, matric results, and biographical data to predict academic success at a South African university
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Date
2009-04-02T09:46:49Z
Authors
Breytenbach, Johanna Wilhelmina
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Abstract
Tertiary education is expensive for the individual, the family, the institution and the country.
The aim of this study was to find models that could predict academic success, which is seen
in this study as the completion of a specific degree in the minimum prescribed time.
The reliability and construct validity of the subtests of several psychometric tests used were
examined. The subtests that were found reliable and construct valid, as well as biographical
data and academic history data, were used as independent variables in model fitting
procedures to find models to predict academic success.
The SAT 78, GSAT, SSHA, PHSF and 19 FII remain reliable instruments. The SAT 78,
PHSF, and 19FII were not found to be construct valid on the sample examined. The GSAT
and SSHA were found to be possibly construct valid.
Four different models for each of BCom, BPharm, BA and BSc students were found to predict
academic success. The CHAID procedure, which was initially used as an exploratory
method selected matric results as the most significant predictor for the BCom, BPharm and
BSc degree students. Matric results in combination with other predictors were selected by
both the stepwise logistic regression and stepwise predictive discriminant procedures as the
best predictors of academic success for all four models at the North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus.