Students enrolled in classes which stressed learning theory and human development served as subjects in an investigation of the predictive power of observation scores compared to more traditional predictors such as grade point average and ACT scores. A stepwise discriminant analysis was employed, using the BMDP7B program on the Sperry 1100 Univac, to distinguish the relative predictive strength of the selected variables on the dependent variable of achievement reflected by grade. In step one of the analysis, observation scores were significantly above the other variables, confirming our basic hypothesis. Step two in the analysis revealed significance of the observation scores and the college grade point average scores. Results would suggest that learning which occurs through observation of selected principles compares more than favorably with standardized testing and grade point averages in predicting success in field based learning. (Author)