[2603.14133] Computer Science Achievement and Writing Skills Predict Vibe Coding Proficiency (https://arxiv.org/static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/apple-touch-icon.png) (../static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/favicon-32x32.png) (../static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/favicon-16x16.png) (../static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/site.webmanifest) (https://arxiv.org/static/browse/0.3.4/images/icons/safari-pinned-tab.svg) (../static/browse/0.3.4/css/arXiv.css@v=20260318.css)  (../static/browse/0.3.4/css/arXiv-print.css@v=20200611.css)  (../static/browse/0.3.4/css/browse_search.css)  (../static/base/1.0.1/css/arxiv-header-footer.css@v=20260626.css)  (2603.14133.html)                  (../static/browse/0.3.4/css/tooltip.css)  (../../static.arxiv.org/js/bibex-dev/bibex.css@20200709.css)             (2603.14133.html#content) Skip to main content (https://arxiv.org/IgnoreMe)  (https://arxiv.org/) (archive)       (https://arxiv.org/search)    Search  (https://arxiv.org/user/create) Submit (https://info.arxiv.org/about/donate.html) Donate  (https://arxiv.org/login) Log in   Search arXiv (Search papers by title, author, abstract, or ID...) (all) (header)  Press Enter to search · (https://arxiv.org/search/advanced) Advanced search    Computer Science > Human-Computer Interaction  arXiv:2603.14133 (cs)  (../static/base/1.0.1/css/abs.css) [Submitted on 14 Mar 2026] Title: Computer Science Achievement and Writing Skills Predict Vibe Coding Proficiency Authors: (https://arxiv.org/search/cs?searchtype=author&query=Thorgeirsson,+S) Sverrir Thorgeirsson , (https://arxiv.org/search/cs?searchtype=author&query=Weidmann,+T+B) Theo B. Weidmann , (https://arxiv.org/search/cs?searchtype=author&query=Su,+Z) Zhendong Su  View a PDF of the paper titled Computer Science Achievement and Writing Skills Predict Vibe Coding Proficiency, by Sverrir Thorgeirsson and Theo B. Weidmann and Zhendong Su (https://arxiv.org/pdf/2603.14133) View PDF (https://arxiv.org/html/2603.14133v1) HTML (experimental) Abstract: Many software development platforms now support LLM-driven programming, or "vibe coding", a technique that allows one to specify programs in natural language and iterate from observed behavior, all without directly editing source code. While its adoption is accelerating, little is known about which skills best predict success in this workflow. We report a preregistered cross-sectional study with tertiary-level students (N = 100) who completed measures of computer-science achievement, domain-general cognitive skills, written-communication proficiency, and a vibe-coding assessment. Tasks were curated via an eight-expert consensus process and executed in a purpose-built, vibe-coding environment that mirrors commercial tools while enabling controlled evaluation. We find that both writing skill and CS achievement are significant predictors of vibe-coding performance, and that CS achievement remains a significant predictor after controlling for domain-general cognitive skills. The results may inform tool and curriculum design, including when to emphasize prompt-writing versus CS fundamentals to support future software creators.  Comments: CHI 2026, 17 pages  Subjects: Human-Computer Interaction (cs.HC) ; Software Engineering (cs.SE)  Cite as: (2603.14133.html) arXiv:2603.14133 [cs.HC]    (or (https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.14133v1) arXiv:2603.14133v1 [cs.HC] for this version)    (https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2603.14133) https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2603.14133   Focus to learn more   arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite    (Digital Object Identifier) Related DOI :  (https://doi.org/10.1145/3772318.3791666) https://doi.org/10.1145/3772318.3791666   Focus to learn more   DOI(s) linking to related resources         Submission history From: Sverrir Thorgeirsson [(https://arxiv.org/show-email/d53808d9/2603.14133) view email ]  [v1] Sat, 14 Mar 2026 21:42:22 UTC (2,504 KB)    Full-text links: Access Paper: View a PDF of the paper titled Computer Science Achievement and Writing Skills Predict Vibe Coding Proficiency, by Sverrir Thorgeirsson and Theo B. 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