Dataset Information

Predictive validity of the National Benchmark Test and National Senior Certificate for the academic success of first-year medical students at one South African university.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:South 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. METHODS:Data 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. RESULTS:The three NBT domains explained 26% of the variance, which was statistically significant, R2?=?0.263, F (3, 1232)?=?146.78, p?

SUBMITTER: Mabizela SE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7218523 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Predictive validity of the National Benchmark Test and National Senior Certificate for the academic success of first-year medical students at one South African university.

Mabizela Sfiso Emmanuel SE George Ann Zeta AZ

BMC medical education 20200513 1

<h4>Background</h4>South 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 als ...[more]

PMID: 32404200

Similar Datasets

Project description:IntroductionOver 30% of Canadians between the ages of 16 and 24 years attend university. This period of life coincides with the onset of common mental illnesses. Yet, data to inform university-based mental health prevention and early intervention initiatives are limited. The U-Flourish longitudinal study based out of Queen's University, Canada and involving Oxford University in the UK, is a student informed study funded by the Canadian Institute for Health Research Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (CIHR-SPOR). The primary goal of U-Flourish research is to examine the contribution of risk and resiliency factors to outcomes of well-being and academic success in first year students transitioning to university.Methods and analysisThe study is a longitudinal survey of all first-year undergraduate students entering Queen's University in the fall term of 2018 (and will launch at Oxford University in fall of 2019). In accordance with the CIHR-SPOR definitions, students represent the target population (ie, patient equivalent). Student peer health educators were recruited to inform the design, content and implementation of the study. Baseline surveys of Queen's first year students were completed in the fall of 2018, and follow-up surveys at the end of first year in the spring of 2019. Extensive student-led engagement campaigns were used to maximise participation rates. The baseline survey included measures of personal factors, family factors, environmental factors, psychological and emotional health, and lifestyle factors. Main outcomes include self-reported indicators of mental health at follow-up and mental health service access, as well as objective measures of academic success through linkage to university administrative and academic databases. A combination of mixed effects regression techniques will be employed to determine associations between baseline predictive factors and mental health and academic outcomes.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained by the Health Sciences and Affiliated Teaching Hospitals Research Ethics Board (HSREB) (#6023126) at Queen's University. Findings will be disseminated through international and national peer-reviewed scientific articles and other channels including student-driven support and advocacy groups, newsletters and social media.

Dataset Information

Predictive validity of the National Benchmark Test and National Senior Certificate for the academic success of first-year medical students at one South African university.

Publications

Predictive validity of the National Benchmark Test and National Senior Certificate for the academic success of first-year medical students at one South African university.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets