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I went through a very similar gauntlet in my first undergrad computers class. I didn’t know anything about programming or linux, but it was fine. I think the f

I went through a very similar gauntlet in my first undergrad computers class. I didn’t know anything about programming or linux, but it was fine. I think the filter is more effective for finding those who can quickly adapt, learn, and grok a methodical mindset. Not necessary characteristics to be a programmer, but necessary characteristics to excel at programming.

throwaway3neu94 6y ago
Does it though, or is it more survivorship bias and maybe lucking into finding someone who will spend hours mentoring you? I've mentored quite a few first semester students (in my spare time, to help. Not as a job) and there is no way some of them would've passed without serious help. At some point I used to think privately that CS should have a programming test as an admission exam, because these students did drag everyone down. If medicine and law have admission restrictions, why not CS too? But I have changed my opinion because I think everyone deserves a real opportunity, and our school system does not provide a level playing field sadly. (Also the medicine & law admission criteria are GPA based and that is the last thing I'd want for CS.) Anyway the real filter was always maths.