Factors affecting the achievement of demand in high school certificate examination in Erbil, KRG, Iraq

High School Grade Point (GPA) and standardized tests are used as predictors of college majors for high school graduates joining college. This research looked at factors influencing high school students' performance and subsequent choice of college majors. The paper also endeavored to ascertain whether students choosing the same college majors would have, on average, same cognitive abilities. A questionnaire was used to collect data from university students, and the results indicate a number of factors that influence high school GPA, achievement. These factors are discussed in the paper and suggestions to improve on them proposed. Claims on the cognitive abilities of students with same majors are also discussed.