EXPERIENCE WITH ONLINE EXAMINATIONS IN PHYSIOLOGY FOR FIRST-YEAR MBBS STUDENTS

Srabani Bhattacharya* and Sundaram Kartikeyan

ABSTRACT

This comparative record-based study was conducted at a medical college in Maharashtra State, India to compare the scores obtained by students in theory and practical formative assessment examinations conducted in physical (traditional) and online formats. The pattern and distribution of marks were identical and the same examiners had conducted these two formats of examinations. Significant differences (p<0.0001) were observed in the average marks obtained in physical and online theory examinations, but not in the physical and online practical examinations. The gender difference in scores in the online theory examination were not significant (p=0.481) but were significant in case of practical examinations in the physical (p=0.0005), as well as in the online (p=0.012) formats. For extensive use, teachers and other staff need to be trained for conducting and assessing online examinations. After incorporating adequate safeguards, online examinations can be used for formative assessment of medical students despite the current constraints. Feedback from students can also be obtained online and used to improve teaching-learning techniques.

Keywords: First-year MBBS, Online examinations, Physiology.