Academic performance of fnal year medical students at kerbala medical college

Abstract

Objective Assessment of fnal year students’ examination results in Kerbala Medical College in the academic years 2014–2015 and 2015–2016.
Methods Students’ achievements in different parts of the fnal year examination in Kerbala Medical College for the academic years 2014–2015 and 2015–2016. Students’ scores in different parts of the theoretical and clinical examinations were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of the assessment process. In addition, students’ cumulative scores for the preceding 5 years were explored to determine the association with fnal year scores. The data were analyzed using the (SPSS) version 20 through different descriptive and analytic statistical tools using: percentages, means, standard deviations, internal reliability, confdence intervals, factor analysis, t-test, ANOVA test and correlation.
Results The results of mean score (scored out of 10 for all scores) and standard deviation theoretical exam in medicine, surgery, gynecology and obstetrics and pediatrics were: 4.55 ± 1.14, 5.62 ± 1.12, 7.15 ± 0.78, 6.31 ± 1.14, respectively and no gender difference was observed.
While the comparable results in 2016 were: 5.61 ± 0.92, 5.28 ± 1.08, 7.13 ± 0.92, 7.79 ± 1.22. Performance, objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) total score were (in the same order) for 2015: 6.30 ± 0.83, 6.66 ± 0.88, 7.02 ± 0.91, 7.81 ± 0.99. On comparison of 2015 and 2016 results, minor signifcant differences were found. A signifcant positive association was found between graduation score and previous year’s scores. Minor signifcant gender differences were observed in only few assessed parameters.
Conclusion The present study aimed at a correct in depth analysis of the evaluation process and an examination of Kerbala Medical College graduates in two successive years. The results found were very helpful in pointing out the main shortcomings and strength in the examination stations.