Importance of math prerequisites for performance in introductory physics

Previous work has looked at the relationship between high school preparation and student performance in calculus-based introductory mechanics (physics 1) courses. Here, we extend that to look electricity magnetism 2), significance of what college math courses have been completed addition preparation. Using multiple linear regression including these measures prior preparation, examine correlation taking various final exam scores physics a highly selective west coast university. In 1, find coursework is not predictor 1 score. 2, having taken course vector calculus strong 2 (effect size=0.58 standard deviations, p<0.001), even when controlling for students’ size=0.27 p<0.01). These effect sizes are similar magnitude other incoming Qualitative analysis exams from reveal this “vector gap” due differences reasoning about vectors geometry some conceptual understanding circuits, as itself required perform well on exam. That is, basic related appears be important, but formalisms do not.Received 10 November 2020Accepted February 2021DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.17.010108Published by American Physical Society under terms Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution must maintain attribution author(s) published article’s title, journal citation, DOI.Published SocietyPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasStudent preparationPhysics Education Research