Key result
The PA-CAT scale scores were positively, though weakly, correlated with undergraduate science GPA (r=0.22, p<0.001) and cumulative GPA (r=0.16, p<0.001) in newly admitted physician assistant students.
Why the study?
Studies investigating the validity of preadmission characteristics to predict performance in physician assistant programs or on the PANCE have had limited and inconsistent results, prompting evaluation of the relationship between the PA-CAT and undergraduate cumulative and science GPA.
Observational (n=479)
Yes
Effect estimate: r = 0.22 (science GPA); r = 0.16 (cumulative GPA)
p-value: p=<0.001
The PA-CAT exam scores show a statistically significant but weak positive correlation with undergraduate science and cumulative GPAs in newly admitted PA students.
Weak GPA correlations support limited concurrent validity of PA-CAT; leaves open its predictive value for PA student outcomes.
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Massey et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Newly admitted physician assistant students (n=479). Undergraduate science GPA and cumulative GPA was evaluated on Correlation between PA-CAT scale scores and undergraduate science GPA and cumulative GPA (r = 0.22 (science GPA); r = 0.16 (cumulative GPA), p=<0.001). The PA-CAT scale scores were positively, though weakly, correlated with undergraduate science GPA (r=0.22, p<0.001) and cumulative GPA (r=0.16, p<0.001) in newly admitted physician assistant students.
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