Comparison of pre-medical academic achievement, entrance test and aptitude test scores in admission selection process

• Published in: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2013-05, Vol.63 (5), p.552-557
• Main Authors: Khan, Junaid Sarfraz, Tabasum, Saima, Mukhtar, Osama
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aptitude Tests - statistics & numerical data; College Admission Test - statistics & numerical data; College admissions; Comparative analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Educational evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Pakistan; School Admission Criteria - statistics & numerical data; Schools, Medical; Socioeconomic Factors
• ISSN: 0030-9982

To compare the awards of various pre-medical academic achievements with aptitude test scores obtained by candidates taking the Entrance Test 2011, and to identify demographic differences in the trend, if any. The cross-sectional study involved a 22-item aptitude test administered to all the students taking the Medical College Admission Test conducted by the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, on September 13, 2011. The Matriculation, Intermediate, EntranceTest and AptitudeTest scores of all the students along with their demographic variables were entered into SPSS 16 and statistically analysed by using parametric tests. A p value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of the 32,746 students, 22,935 (70%) were females. Students who scored more than 75% marks (n = 4,723; 14%) also scored higher marks in the Aptitude Test (p < 0.05). Female candidates in general scored higher marks in the Entrance Test (p < 0.05) and in the Aptitude Test (p < 0.05). Overall, students from the economically and academically underdeveloped districts of Punjab scored less marks in the Entrance Test (p < 0.05) and the Aptitude Test (p < 0.05).The difference in Entrance Test and Aptitude Test marks of students from underdeveloped districts was greater than that of students for the developed districts (p < 0.05). However, in Matriculation and Intermediate examinations, students from the underdeveloped districts scored higher marks than the developed districts (p < 0.05). Students scoring higher marks in Matric and Intermediate, scored low marks in the Aptitude Test (p < 0.05). The Entrance Test and Aptitude Test scores correlated poorly with Intermediate and Matriculation scores. There is a need to strengthen the underdeveloped areas academically. Besides, the predictive value of the Aptitude Test scores related to future performance of candidates selected needs to be ascertained with further studies.