Are new coming computer engineering students well prepared to begin future studies programs based on competences in the European Higher Education Area?

Students' performance depends on the input level they had in a set of key competences before accessing higher education. However, there has not been much research on the relationship between student performance and key competences in this level of education. In the computer engineering studies at the Universidad Polite¿cnica de Madrid we have developed a model to research this relationship. It can be replicated in other environments like other Universities or fields that share common features with computer engineering. This model includes the methodology used for the elaboration of evaluation test of competences and guidelines that facilitate the assessment of the quality of the process. This paper presents evidence about how an evaluation of competences can be undertaken and how it can be used to determine the capabilities of the new coming students. This model has already been tested in 2007-08 with first year students.