Student Perceptions of Success: A Comparison of Direct and Indirect Measurements

This study examines the relationship between direct and indirect measures of student outcomes in engineering education.Direct measures like standardized tests and GPAs provide objective data on knowledge and skills, while indirect measures like surveys capture student perceptions.Comparative analyses and Chi-Square tests were performed on senior exit surveys from 46 students to evaluate potential gaps between students' perceived mastery of ABET outcomes versus their GPAs.The study also compared student perceptions of difficult FE exam subjects against actual exam performance data.Results indicate some correlation between student perceptions and direct success measures, though significant discrepancies exist, particularly among lower-achieving students who tend to be more optimistic about their abilities.The paper argues for integrating both direct and indirect methods to comprehensively assess student outcomes and understand perceived readiness.This balanced approach can inform more effective assessment strategies aligned with educational goals.