This study was designed to identify discernible differences in high school and college group characteristics with reference to student achievement. Specifically, the emphasis was determining effects of previous programs on achievement of the students enrolled in a college biology course. The procedure was to investigate the students' high school biology and chemistry programs. For this, high school ranks were obtained along with scores on the Minnesota Scholastic Aptitude Test and English and Mathematics placement scores. Student achievement was measured in terms of two different dependent variables in college biology, utilizing an Achievement Test designed for the course and the final grades given in the course. Major findings included the following: There were significant differences among the means of the six high school biology groups in student achievement for the two dependent variables, the achievement test scores and the final grades in the college course. There were significant differences among the means of the two high school chemistry groups in student achievement for the two dependent variables. (Author/PS)