Admission to medical schools in Sri Lanka: predictive validity of selection criteria

Abstract

Objective To assess the extent to which current selection criteria predict success in Sri Lanka's medical schools.Methods The study sample consisted of all students selected to all six medical schools in two consecutive entry cohorts. The aggregate marks of these students at the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level examination, the district of entry, admission category, candidate type (school/private) and gender, were identified as entry point variables. Success in medical school was measured in four ways: the ability to pass the first summative examination and the final examination at the first attempt, and obtaining honours in either examination. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was used to assess the extent to which these entry point factors predict variability in outcome measures.Results Aggregate scores among the 1740 students in the study sample ranged from 212 to 356, with a median of 285. The male:female ratio was 1.4:1. Private candidates (taking the examination for the third time) accounted for 22% of students. Being a school candidate, female and having a higher aggregate score, were the only independent predictors of success for all four outcome measures. The aggregate score alone accounted for only 1-7% of the variation in performance in medical school.Conclusions Marks obtained at the A Level examination (the only academic criterion currently used for selection of medical students in Sri Lanka) is a poor predictor of success in medical school.

Selection criteria towards competent and caring doctors

“…The article by Hewage et al [13] in the current issue shows the English placement test as a good predictor and furthermore agrees with de Silva et al [8] that A/L attempt (not more than two attempts) is a good predictor. It may not be such a debatable issue that students should not be selected for medicine if they had more than two attempts at A/L and that a test of English language should wholly or partially contribute to the z-score.…”

“…Rajapaksa commented that this study lacked information on some important predictors such as proficiency in English language, and the number of attempts at the A/L examination [7]. In a subsequent study by de Silva et al found that less than three A/L examination attempts was a strong predictor of success [8].…”

Opção pelo curso de Medicina em Angola: o caso da Universidade Agostinho Neto

“…Algumas vezes, este sonho se transforma em frustração, pois, ao se candidatar ao curso, o jovem se depara com uma realidade que constitui uma verdadeira barreira à realização da sua aspiração. Esta situação decorre das limitações impostas ao acesso ao curso na maioria das Faculdades de Medicina, quer na Europa [1][2][3][4] quer nos Estados Unidos [5][6][7] , decorrente do numerus clausus -expressão latina que significa número limitado (é um dos métodos usados para limitar o número de estudantes que têm acesso a um curso).…”

“…Os dados recolhidos correspondem a uma amostra obtida por intermédio de inquéritos de opinião. Os candidatos identificaram como principais razões de opção pelo curso de Medicina as seguintes: Altruísmo (mediana = 87,5);Vocação (mediana = 81,3); Influência Familiar (mediana = 75,0); Prestígio Social (mediana = 75,0); …”

Preliminary study: Predictors for success in an important premedical subject at a South African medical school

“…[1][2][3][4] Consequently, all medical schools have in recent years evaluated and adapted their selection criteria and processes. [5,6] Most South African (SA) medical schools use academic and non-academic criteria to select students, the former accounting for 70 -80% of admission requirements.…”