Multi-institutional Analysis of Student and Program Variables as Predictors of Performance on the NAPLEX

Abstract

Objective. Understanding student characteristics and risk factors for North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) performance may help colleges and schools of pharmacy (C/SOPs) target limited resources. This study aimed to evaluate two sets of Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) student variables for their effect on NAPLEX performance. Methods. Data were collected from five C/SOPs over three years . Relationships between variables were first examined with bivariate correlations, followed by a series of multiple regressions using a structural equation modeling approach. Two sets of analyses were conducted using the outcome variable of NAPLEX scaled score; the first set examined variables at admission to the program while the second set examined performance variables during the PharmD program. Results. Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) area scores had the highest bivariate correlation with NAPLEX score; Area 4 and Area 2 had the strongest correlations. Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) subtest scores were significant but had smaller correlations. Admissions variables of incoming science grade point average (GPA) and PCAT area scores were significant predictors of NAPLEX, but these were entered in separate models as they explained the same variance (each approximately 15%). PharmD performance variables of PCOA area scores and GPA before Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (pre-APPE GPA) were significant predictors and explained about 25% of the variance in NAPLEX scores. Conclusion.PCOA area scores and pre-APPE GPA were significant predictors of NAPLEX scores. Information in this study can be used by C/SOPs to efficiently target support services to students for enhanced NAPLEX performance.

Medication therapy problems assessment within medication history objective structured clinical examinations using standardized patients versus peer actors

“…Our ANCOVA analysis was an attempt to adjust for these baseline differences when comparing OCSE performance between cohorts. One multi‐institution study determined PCAT content area scores, including critical reading, minimally but significantly predicted NAPLEX performance 43 . Further investigation is necessary to determine relationships between PCAT and OSCE performance.…”

“…One multi-institution study determined PCAT content area scores, including critical reading, minimally but significantly predicted NAPLEX performance. 43 Further investigation is necessary to determine relationships between PCAT and OSCE performance. Although OSCE cases were similarly designed and complex in 2019 and 2021, both the cases and MTPs within them were different between the cohorts which may confound results.…”

North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination Absolute Failures Warrant Monitoring of Colleges and Schools of Pharmacy

“…4 Higher NAPLEX scores are associated with higher prepharmacy and pre-advanced pharmacy practice experience grade point averages and on-time graduation rates. 5,6 Next, passage rate disclosure is mandated by accreditors from pharmacy and other professional programs. [7][8][9] The current criterion applied by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) for monitoring programs based on poor NAPLEX pass rate is to flag programs yielding a pass rate of ≥ 2 standard deviations below the national mean pass rate.…”