Abstract
M.Ed. (Tertiary and Adult Education)
This empirical study forms part of a team research project which
was spearheaded by the Bureau of University Education at the Rand
Afrikaans University. The aim of this study was to establish
whether significant differences between the aptitudes of succesfull
and non-succesfull freshman engineering students could be
determined.
This study consists mainly of two parts. Firstly, a literature
study discussing the concepts aptitude and aptitude testing was
undertaken. Secondly, an empirical study to establish
differences in various aptitudes of the above-mentioned student
groups was undertaken.
According to the literature study, aptitude can be seen as a
combination of factors which enables an individual to achieve a
certain level of performance or to develop a certain skill with
the necessary training. From the literature study it is apparent
that aptitude is inherited, and also influenced by environmental
factors. In early childhood it varies considerably but stabilizes
in later years. Although slight similarities between aptitude
and intelligence exist, a very clear distinction can be
drawn. Differences between the aptitude patterns of men and
women also appear.
In the empirical study a random sample (N=388) was taken from the
1989 - 1991 freshman engineering students of the Rand Afrikaans
University. The results of the Senior Aptitude Test (SAT) of the
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) were used to indicate
d ifferences between the above-mentioned student groups.
Students t-test was used to establish significant differences between the two groups. The data which was already available,
was processed by means of the BMDP-3D computer programme.
Significant differences between the two groups were identified,
proving/indicating that aptitude should be taken into account
during the process of student selection for the engineering
course.