Achievement factors and personality in a cohort of medical students.

Abstract

Summary Factor analysis has been used to identify achievement factors in tests attempted by a student cohort during a 6-year medical course. In the second year of the course students completed a battery of psychometric tests which measured both cognitive and non-cognitive personality traits. Scores derived from these personality tests were used as predictors of the achievement factors. The cohort completed 28 courses in the 6 years. Analysis of grades reported for these courses demonstrated five independent factors which could be labelled: (a) basic physical science; (b) biological science; (c) paraclinical science; (d) basic clinical science; (e) clinical science. Over 24% of the variance of the factor scores in ‘biological science’ could be predicted from psychometric test scores. In contrast no measured personality trait contributed significantly to achievement in ‘basic clinical science’. Over 12% of the variance could be predicted for achievement in ‘paraclinical’ and ‘clinical science’ while 6% of the variance could be predicted for ‘physical science’. Personality profiles favouring achievement differed significantly between achievement factors. In some cases attributes favouring achievement in one factor operated against achievement in another. In particular, a personality trait associated with extroversion favoured achievement in ‘clinical science’ but operated against achievement in ‘biological science’. Consideration is given to the use of psychometric tests as a tool for the selection of candidates proposing to enter the medical faculty.