Are cognitive abilities that were related to achievement in an introductory course in computer programming also related to achievement in a computer literacy course? Correlations between scores on a programming aptitude test and scores obtained on three exams given in an undergraduate course that taught the use of software were examined. A secondary purpose of the study was to investigate correlations between several personality measures and exam scores. Subjects were 90 college students enrolled in "Computers in Business". Once achievement was controlled for basic verbal and numerical aptitude, the programming aptitude test did not significantly predict scores on any of the course exams. Thus, the task of learning to use software seemed to be analogous to any other academic learning and could be viewed as simply another application of generic cognitive abilities. Two variables, ownership of a personal computer and scores on a personality test measuring a concern for detail and perfectionism, were conducive to achievement early in the course, while experience in a prior programming course was related to achievement later in the course.