Abstract
PurposeThe field of physical therapy education is seeking an evidence-based approach for admitting qualified applicants, as previous research has assessed various outcomes, impeding practical application. This study was conducted to identify preadmission criteria predictive of graduation success. MethodsData from the 2013–2016 graduating cohorts (n=149) were collected. Predictors included verbal Graduate Record Examination rank percentile (VGRE%), quantitative GRE rank percentile, analytical GRE rank percentile, the admissions interview, precumulative science grade point average (SGPA), precumulative grade point average (UGPA), and a reflective essay. The National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and grade point average at the time of graduation (GGPA) were used as measures of graduation success. Two separate mixed-effects models determined the associations of preadmission predictors with NPTE performance and GGPA. ResultsThe NPTE model fit comparison showed significant results (degrees of freedom [df]=10, P=0.001), decreasing within-cohort variance by 59.5%. NPTE performance was associated with GGPA (β=125.21, P=0.001), and VGRE%, the interview, the essay, and GGPA (P≤0.001) impacted the model fit. The GGPA model fit comparison did not show significant results (df=8, P=0.56), decreasing within-cohort variance by 16.4%. The GGPA was associated with the interview (β=0.02, P=0.04) and UGPA (β=0.25, P=0.04), and VGRE%, the interview, UGPA, and the essay (P≤0.02) impacted model fit. ConclusionIn our findings, GGPA predicted NPTE performance, and the interview and UGPA predicted GGPA. Unlike past evidence, SGPA showed no predictive power. The essay and VGRE% warrant attention because of their influence on model fit. We recommend that admissions ranking matrices place a greater weight on the interview, UGPA, VGRE%, and the essay.
Highlights
Multiple preadmission predictors have been studied by physical therapy (PT) and PT assistant education programs
Our findings suggest that GGPA predicted National PT Examination (NPTE) performance, and that the admissions interview and UGPA
Of all the criteria tested in the initial analysis, only GGPA was associated with NPTE performance
Summary
Multiple preadmission predictors have been studied by physical therapy (PT) and PT assistant education programs Such predictors have included age [1], gender [1,2], entry-level degree [1,3], Graduate Record Examination (GRE) [2], prerequisite grade point average (GPA) [1], precumulative science grade point average (SGPA) [2,3], precumulative grade point average (UGPA) [1,2,3], essays [2], and letters of recommendation [2]. This comprehensive study will add to the available literature by using multiple preadmission predictors, with NPTE performance and GPA at the time of graduation (GGPA) as outcomes of graduation success
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