Have Basic Mathematical Skills Grown Obsolete In The Computer Age: Assessing Basic Mathematical Skills And Forecasting Performance In A Business Statistics Course

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the comprehension of basic mathematical skills of  students enrolled in statistics classes at a large regional university, and to determine if the scores earned on a basic math skills test are useful in forecasting student performance in these statistics classes, and to determine if students’ basic math skills have changed over time. The results showed that 22 percent of the students’ final grades in business statistics courses were explained by their scores on this skills test.  These findings may be of use to statistics faculty in identifying students who experience difficulties in these courses in the future.  The current students’ scores were compared to scores from a test previously given to students in 1992/1993.  The students from the first group had significantly higher scores than the current group of students.