Relationship between admission criteria and academic performance in basic science courses in health science colleges in KAU

Aliaa Amr Alamoudi,Lana Adey Alshawwa,Hind Ibrahim Fallatah,Basmah Medhat Eldakhakhny,Ayman Zaky Elsamanoudy,Fatemah Omar Kamel

doi:10.1186/s12909-021-02502-4

Aliaa Amr Alamoudi, Lana Adey Alshawwa + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02502-4

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Abstract

BackgroundAt King Abdulaziz University, medical and health science schools depend on admission exams (aptitude and achievement) and preparatory year scores in their students’ selection. However, with the growing number of applicants and the drastic changes in teaching and assessment in these colleges, continuous assessment and development of admission criteria are needed. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the correlation of admission exam scores, in addition to the preparatory year Grade Point Average (GPA), with academic performance in the basic science subjects such as Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology in health science colleges.MethodsThe study was conducted on four cohort studies, two faculty of nursing cohorts; nursing students (2017-2018, n=146) nursing students (2018-2019, n=81), and two faculty of applied medical sciences cohorts, clinical nutrition students (2017-2018, n=33), and clinical nutrition students (2018-2019, n=28). The students’ scores of General Aptitude Test (GAT), Scholastic Achievement Admission Test (SAAT), and preparatory year GPA were all recorded at the beginning of each semester before the beginning of courses. Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology exam results were recorded at the end of the semester. Correlation was done for each cohort and all cohorts pooled.ResultsResults showed only a weak correlation detected between SAAT and the overall achievement in Clinical Biochemistry (r= 0.192, P= 0.042) in nursing students (2017-2018), but no correlation was seen with SAAT or preparatory year scores. There was also no significant correlation between admission exams scores and the students’ academic achievement in Clinical Biochemistry or Clinical Pharmacology. On the other hand Clinical Pharmacology exam results showed a significant positive correlation with Clinical Biochemistry results (r=0.688, P=0.000).ConclusionOur results could indicate the need to revisit the admission criteria for these colleges. Furthermore, specific preparatory year tracks for health science colleges can ensure that students improve the specific skills and knowledge required for their future college years3

Highlights

At King Abdulaziz University, medical and health science schools depend on admission exams and preparatory year scores in their students’ selection
There was no significant difference between the preparatory year Grade Point Average (GPA) between the two nursing cohorts, or the two C.Nutrition cohorts (Fig. 1)
This study aimed firstly to assess the correlation of admission exams to health science colleges and preparatory years scores in King Abdulaziz University (KAU), with academic performance in the basic science subjects such as Clinical Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology

Summary

Introduction

At King Abdulaziz University, medical and health science schools depend on admission exams (aptitude and achievement) and preparatory year scores in their students’ selection. Pre-admission criteria have been introduced in medical schools and health sciences colleges worldwide to help enroll students with the highest standards that are more likely to succeed in the field [1,2,3]. Such criteria are often in the form of academic achievement such as cumulative high school scores, and achievement tests set to assess cumulative knowledge acquired throughout the final years in school. There has been great interest in assigning weight on non-academic assessments such as the current MMI

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