Many people assume that learning to code is all about math. But a new study says otherwise: your skills at solving problems and understanding language on your own may actually matter more than your math scores.

People who learned programming languages well, such as Python, had two things in common, according to researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Washington: They were strong problem-solvers, and they had an aptitude for language. These two abilities together accounted for nearly 70 percent of the variation in how well people learned to code.

That’s a huge finding.

Learn Code Become Smarter

It means that learning to code isn’t just about numbers and logic—it’s about how you process information, think through challenges, and interpret meaning. Programming, in this view, is more like learning a new language than solving math problems.

And here’s the surprising part: Math ability was not all that relevant. The researchers tested study subjects’ math skills, but those scores failed to predict who would learn programming more quickly. Instead, those who could mentally juggle different pieces of information, and identify patterns in language, had a decisive advantage.

Related Article: Coding and Computer Science Education

Why This Changes the Way We Teach Coding

This research suggests we might need to rethink the way we teach coding. Instead of focusing purely on logic or equations, we should be encouraging people—regardless of their math background—to develop their language and reasoning skills. People with strong verbal abilities might actually be better suited to coding than they think.

It also tells us something important about accessibility. Coding may seem intimidating to someone who doesn’t consider themselves a “tech person,” but this study shows that success in programming depends more on general thinking skills than on any one subject.

A New Way to Look at Who Can Code

While this study focused on adults Learning to code, opens up a larger discussion: how can we help learners of all ages approach programming, not as just a technical thing we do for a job, but rather as skill derived from everyday thought and conversation.