Only the best: medical student selection in Australia

Selection processes for medical schools need to be unbiased, valid, and psychometrically reliable, as well as evidence‐based and transparent to all stakeholders. A range of academic and non‐academic criteria are used for selection, including matriculation scores, aptitude tests and interviews. Resea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical journal of Australia 2012-03, Vol.196 (5), p.357-357
Main Authors: Wilson, Ian G, Roberts, Christopher, Flynn, Eleanor M, Griffin, Barbara
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Achievement
Aptitude
Aptitude Tests
Australia
Biological and medical sciences
College Admission Test
Education
Educational Measurement
General aspects
Health participants
Humans
Medical sciences
Personality Tests
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
School Admission Criteria
Schools, Medical - standards
Socioeconomic Factors
Students, Medical - psychology
Vulnerable Populations
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Summary:Selection processes for medical schools need to be unbiased, valid, and psychometrically reliable, as well as evidence‐based and transparent to all stakeholders. A range of academic and non‐academic criteria are used for selection, including matriculation scores, aptitude tests and interviews. Research into selection is fraught with methodological difficulties; however, it shows positive benefits for structured selection processes. Pretest coaching and “faking good” are potential limitations of current selection procedures. Developments in medical school selection include the use of personality tests, centralised selection centres and programs to increase participation by socially disadvantaged students.
ISSN:0025-729X
1326-5377
DOI:10.5694/mja10.11388