The present study describes the development and validation of a video-based situational judgment test (SJT) assessing social competencies in applicants to medical school. Study 1 explored the psychometric properties of the SJT based on two applicant cohorts (N 1 5 769, N 2 5 787). Study 2 compared SJT data from applicants and 90 medical students. Tests for mean differences, correlation and factor analyses were used. In Study 1, the supposed two-factor model for the SJT must be rejected. According to the minimum average partial test a single factor solution explaining 19-21% of the variance was suggested. The SJT showed satisfactory psychometric properties and stronger correlations to personality than to cognition as well as high acceptance. In study 2, applicants reached higher SJT scores than students. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/ijsa Int J Select Assess. 2017;25:94-110

Although apparently aiming for standardization in neurocritical care, German NICUs show substantial differences in NM and monitoring-associated interventions. In terms of scoring and monitoring methods, German NICUs seem to be quite conservative. These survey results suggest a need of prospective and randomized interventional trials in neurocritical care to help define standards and target values.

This survey suggests an obvious interest in but also an unfulfilled need of guidance in a standardized approach to neurological critical care in Germany. More activity in multicentre clinical research with a neurocritical focus to provide optimization of protocols, scores and guidelines appears to be warranted.