Predictors of university academic performance in Colombia

Abstract

This chapter describes the available information about the prediction of college performance in Colombia (South America). Before graduating from high school, students must take a national examination which includes 400 questions grouped into four major areas: sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics), social sciences, language (verbal aptitude and Spanish), and mathematics (mathematical attitude and mathematical knowledge). ICFES scores are used as a major criterion for university admission. Existing research suggests that the correlations between ICFES scores and GPAs tend to be quite small and vary widely from one academic program to another. Other variables (e.g., high school grades) are better predictors of college GPA, quite likely because the same set of personal and socio-cultural variables are needed for both high school and college success.