ObjectivesLearning methods and other related factors influence the success of medical undergraduates. This study aims at finding factors associated with the end of pre-clinical stream examination results among medical undergraduates of the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka. The results of this study will inform the tutors to plan and implement teaching methods as well as to guide the social welfare of the undergraduates. In general, we believe this study has the potential to improve the medical undergraduate’s academic performance.ResultsEighty-six per cent (112/130) of medical undergraduates have passed the examination and rest was referred. Logistic regression revealed a significant association between examination results and self-satisfaction for English language proficiency (P = 0.048). Passing the examination was more likely with high self-satisfaction for English language proficiency [odds ratio = 6.063 (95% CI 1.014 to 36.249)]. Also, a significant association between obtaining a class at the examination and using peer-revision notes (P = 0.019) was revealed. Obtaining a class at the examination was less likely with the frequent use of peer-revision notes [odds ratio = 0.228 (95% CI 0.066 to 0.790)].Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3912-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.