Ready for first year? The use of pre-teaching diagnostic tests to prompt greater preparation and engagement among first year engineering cohorts at The Universities of Auckland and Queensland

Abstract

Having learnt of The University of Queensland’s successful use of an on-line competency test for new undergraduate students prior to the start of their first semester, The University of Auckland launched its own ‘Ready For First Year Quiz’ in 2011. This paper provides direct comparisons on each institution’s motivation for the quiz, analysis of the cohort completing the quiz, their engagement with the quiz, and preliminary feedback from staff and students on the usefulness and effectiveness of the quiz. The impacts of both campuses’ quizzes upon student behaviour and performance are also compared and recommendations are made for future improvement