A Comparison of Expectations and Achievement in a Prior Knowledge Assessment of B. Eng. (Hons) Course Entrants

Abstract

The results of a ‘prior knowledge’ test taken by a group of 42 students at the beginning of a B. Eng. degree course in Mechanical Engineering at a UK university have been analysed and compared with the results expected by the 18 teaching staff in the department concerned. The comparison covers both overall performances and the responses to individual questions. The average student ‘score’ was 40.3%; the average expected ‘score’ was 80.7%.