Resumen de Predicting mathematical aptitude for higher education

B. McDonald

• This present study seeks to predict mathematical aptitude for higher education by examining the relationship between mathematics results from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) general proficiency examination and the results from the General Certificate of Education (GCE) advanced level examination. This present study arose from a more extensive study that used a random sample of 177 high school students in the age cohort 17-19+ from a 7-year state-run, co-educational institution with a broad-based curriculum and a wide catchment area of student intake in The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies. Semi-structured interviews and student academic records from the school comprised the survey instruments used for the study. Student grades were quantified using numerical scales. Findings suggest that the comprehension profile (Profile 2) of the CXC general proficiency level mathematics serves as a good predictor of mathematical aptitude for GCE advanced level mathematics. Implications for predicting mathematical aptitude for higher education and related issues are discussed.