[Paul_S]

I've read your answer about your methodology of gauging "programming aptitude" and I'm worried it might be susceptible to your judges' biases - it being purely subjective. I'll put more faith in your point number 2 if you come up with a more objective measure.

[mgirdley]

Agreed that an objective measurement would be ideal and this is second best.

However, we've had a hard time creating or locating an objective measurement of general programming skill. As demonstrated by the industry's non-use of standardized tests for programming, I don't think anyone else has either.

If you have a lead on something, would love to see it.

[strict9]

Trying to create an accurate measurement of programming skill is far more difficult than looking for correlation on tests compared with some other subjective measure.

This misguided attempt at instrumenting "skill" could prevent highly capable individuals from entering the field who don't have a solid math foundation, for societal or other reasons.

[sdenton4]

OTOH, identifying a decent mathematical thinking background as a predictor of CS potential is a pretty big win at a societal level. Teaching math is relatively cheap; you don't even have to buy computers...