Key result
Admission exam scores (SAAT, GAT) and preparatory year GPA showed no significant correlation with students' academic achievement in basic science courses like Clinical Biochemistry across all pooled cohorts.
Why the study?
With growing applicant numbers and changes in teaching and assessment, continuous assessment of admission criteria was needed to evaluate correlations between admission scores, preparatory year GPA, and basic science performance.
Cohort (n=288)
No
Effect estimate: r=0.068
p-value: p=0.280
Standard admission exam scores and preparatory year GPA showed little to no significant correlation with academic performance in basic science courses for nursing and clinical nutrition students, suggesting a need to revisit admission criteria.
Current admission criteria show limited predictive value for basic science performance; leaves open need for better-validated selection tools.
Background At 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. Methods The 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. Results Results 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). Conclusion Our 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 years.
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Alamoudi et al. (2021) conducted a cohort in Academic performance (n=288). Admission exams (GAT, SAAT) and preparatory year GPA was evaluated on Correlation between SAAT score and Clinical Biochemistry exam result (all cohorts pooled) (r=0.068, p=0.280). Admission exam scores (SAAT, GAT) and preparatory year GPA showed no significant correlation with students' academic achievement in basic science courses like Clinical Biochemistry across all pooled cohorts.
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