Algorithm Readiness Diagnostic

This is an ungraded self-check before starting Applied Machine Learning Algorithms.

You are ready to begin if you can do these without step-by-step help:

1. Load a small CSV with pandas.
2. Identify target, features, row unit, and prediction time.
3. Create a train/test split without using future information.
4. Build a scikit-learn pipeline.
5. Compare a candidate model with a dummy or simple baseline.
6. Choose a metric that matches the decision.
7. Explain one leakage risk.
8. Explain one reason a higher score may still be a bad choice.

If two or more items feel unclear, review Machine Learning Foundations before continuing.