Abstract
BackgroundSouth African medical schools use the results of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination for selecting students. Five of the nine medical schools also use the National Benchmark Test (NBT). The University of the Witwatersrand weights the NSC and NBT results equally in the selection process. This study addresses the predictive validity of the NBT and NSC for academic success. The association between the NBT proficiency levels and students’ progression outcomes was also investigated.MethodsData obtained from the University’s Business Intelligence Services for 1652 first-year medical students from 2011 to 2017 were analysed using hierarchical regression models and chi-square tests. The three NBT domains and four of the NSC subjects were the independent variables in the regression models, with the first-year grade point average for students who passed the first year as the dependant variable. The NBT performance levels and first-year progression outcome (passed, failed, or cancelled) were used in the chi-square analysis. Frequency tables were used to describe the cohort’s demographic details and NBT results. Crosstabs were used to analyse student performance according to the school quintile system.ResultsThe three NBT domains explained 26% of the variance, which was statistically significant, R2 = 0.263, F (3, 1232) = 146.78, p < 0.000. When the NSC subjects (Life Sciences, English, Mathematics, and Physical Science) were added to the regression equation, they accounted for an additional 19% of the variance, R2 = 0.188, F (3, 1229) = 137.14, p < 0.000. All independent variables contributed 45% of the variance, R2 = 0.451, F (6, 1229) = 166.29, p < 0.000. A strong association between the NBT proficiency levels and first-year students’ progression outcomes was observed.ConclusionThe NBT results, when weighted equally to the NSC results, explained more variance than the NSC alone in predicting academic success in the first year of the medical degree. The NBT should not only be used for selecting medical students but should also be used to place students with lower entry-level skills in appropriate foundation programmes and to identify students who are admitted to regular programmes who may need additional support.
Highlights
Introduction to Medical Sciences IChemistry I Physics ISociological Foundations of HealthPsychological Foundations of HealthSystem Dynamics for Medical Students Human AnatomyMolecular MedicinePhysiology and Medical Biochemistry IMedical Thought and Practice IIntegrated Basic Medical and Human Sciences AIntegrated Basic Medical and Human Sciences B
The National Benchmark Test (NBT) should be used for selecting medical students but should be used to place students with lower entry-level skills in appropriate foundation programmes and to identify students who are admitted to regular programmes who may need additional support
Focusing on first-year medical students enrolled at Wits University between 2011 and 2017, this study investigated the proportion of the variance in the academic success explained by the three NBT domains and the four National Senior Certificate (NSC) subjects used in the admissions process
Summary
Introduction to Medical Sciences IChemistry I Physics ISociological Foundations of HealthPsychological Foundations of HealthSystem Dynamics for Medical Students Human AnatomyMolecular MedicinePhysiology and Medical Biochemistry IMedical Thought and Practice IIntegrated Basic Medical and Human Sciences AIntegrated Basic Medical and Human Sciences B. System Dynamics for Medical Students Human Anatomy. South African medical schools use the results of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination for selecting students. Five of the nine medical schools use the National Benchmark Test (NBT). The University of the Witwatersrand weights the NSC and NBT results in the selection process. This study addresses the predictive validity of the NBT and NSC for academic success. The first-year performance of medical students is considered to have a profound influence on their future academic progress [1]. All nine South African medical schools use the results for selected subjects from the National Senior Certificate (NSC) in their selection process. Five medical schools use both the NSC results and the National Benchmark Test (NBT) to select students [3] The NSC is written in the final year (Grade 12 or the matric year) of the Further Education and Training level. Five medical schools use both the NSC results and the National Benchmark Test (NBT) to select students [3]
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