CURRENTLY PRACTICED ASSESSMENT METHODS FOR MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATES: A TIME TO PONDER
Archana Nimesh, Mohit Mehndiratta*, Rajarshi Kar, Seema Garg and Dinesh Puri
ABSTRACT
Background: Getting selected to study medicine requires high intellect and devoted preparation and only a few students make it through the selection process. However, considerable number of students performs poorly in examinations. Hence, through this study we wanted to probe whether assessment format has any bearing on the students‟ academic performance. Method: A questionnaire based feedback form was given to first year medical students of three consecutive academic batches. The questions were pertaining to the format of monthly/annual assessment test, the students‟ would prefer to have during their first professional examinations. The students were given an option to mention the reasons for the same. Result: First semester students‟ preferred multiple choice question (MCQ) based test format for monthly as well as annual examinations. Second semester students‟ responded equivocally with regards to the monthly test having almost same preference for MCQ format and „combination of tests‟ format including objective, subjective and viva questions. However, regarding the annual examination, majority of the 2nd semester students wanted a „combination of tests‟. Conclusion: Newly joined medical students are habituated to solve MCQs for competitive entrance examinations. Thus, it‟s difficult to adjust with the sudden change in exam pattern in medical college. Therefore, monthly tests consisting predominantly of MCQs with gradual inclusion of other type of tests like viva, objective and subjective type questions for annual examination is more justified approach to expect an optimal academic performance and promote learning in depth.
Keywords: Medical Education, Medical Students, Performance, Academic, Examination, Test.
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