Current research shows that many American students are now entering college with substantial prior computing experience. Researchers studied a large group of non-computer science majors to determine the effects of this prior experience on success in college computer science courses. Specific relationships between prior experience factors and gender were studied. While only certain prior experiences correlated with success for males, virtually all prior experiences were beneficial for females. In the group studied, females compared favorably with males in all areas, including success rates and final grade percentages. The results show a significant correlation between early prior computing experiences and success by females in a college computer course and thus could indicate that pre-college computing can have an important role in achieving gender equity in college computer science courses.

Researchers have often lied factors such as mathematics ability and overall academic achievement to success in computer science. In this study, a group of students with common mathematics backgrounds was examined to determine if some other new factors were also involved in success in computer science. In particular, the roles of prior computing experience, work, and sex are discussed. A composite picture of the typical successful student is drawn and the implications for computer science departments are identified.

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Researchers have often lied factors such as mathematics ability and overall academic achievement to success in computer science. In this study, a group of students with common mathematics backgrounds was examined to determine if some other new factors were also involved in success in computer science. In particular, the roles of prior computing experience, work, and sex are discussed. A composite picture of the typical successful student is drawn and the implications for computer science departments are identified.