Abstract
BackgroundTo see if there is a difference in performance when students switch from traditional paper-and-pencil examinations to computer-based examinations, and to determine whether there are gender differences in student performance in these two examination formats.MethodsThis study involved first year medical students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign over three Academic Years 2002–03/2003–04 and 2003–05. Comparisons of student performance by overall class and gender were made. Specific comparisons within courses that utilized both the paper-and-pencil and computer formats were analyzed.ResultsOverall performance scores for students among the various Academic Years revealed no differences between exams given in the traditional pen-and-paper and computer formats. Further, when we looked specifically for gender differences in performance between these two testing formats, we found none.ConclusionThe format for examinations in the courses analyzed does not affect student performance. We find no evidence for gender differences in performance on exams on pen-and-paper or computer-based exams.
Highlights
To see if there is a difference in performance when students switch from traditional paper-and-pencil examinations to computer-based examinations, and to determine whether there are gender differences in student performance in these two examination formats
We find no evidence for gender differences in performance on exams on pen-andpaper or computer-based exams
Given the sweeping changes that are occurring in medical school testing methods, it is important to understand the potential performance differences in students taking paper-and-pencil examinations compared to online examinations and to implement on-line examinations so that students have the best opportunity to show their level of proficiency [6,7]
Summary
To see if there is a difference in performance when students switch from traditional paper-and-pencil examinations to computer-based examinations, and to determine whether there are gender differences in student performance in these two examination formats. Delivery of examinations via computer (on-line testing) is becoming more and more prevalent in medical education. In the very near future, the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) will be administered on-line only. The National Board of Medical Educators is developing on-line Subject Examinations. Current thinking is that on-line testing is the same as paper-and-pencil administration [1,2,3,4,5]. Given the sweeping changes that are occurring in medical school testing methods, it is important to understand the potential performance differences in students taking paper-and-pencil examinations compared to online examinations and to implement on-line examinations so that students have the best opportunity to show their level of proficiency [6,7]
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