Progress Testing for Medical Students at the University of Auckland: Results from the First Year of Assessments

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Progress testing is a method of assessing longitudinal progress of students using a single best answer format pitched at the standard of a newly graduated doctor. AIM: To evaluate the results of the first year of summative progress testing at the University of Auckland for Years 2 and 4 in 2013. SUBJECTS: Two cohorts of medical students from Years 2 and 4 of the Medical Program. METHODS: A survey was administered to all involved students. Open text feedback was also sought. Psychometric data were collected on test perfor-mance, and indices of reliability and validity were calculated. RESULTS: The three tests showed increased mean scores over time. Reliability of the assessments was uniformly high. There was good concurrent valid-ity. Students believe that progress testing assists in integrating science with clinical knowledge and improve learning. Year 4 students reported improved knowledge retention and deeper understanding. CONCLUSION: Progress testing has been successfully introduced into the Faculty for two separate year cohorts and results have met expectations. Other year cohorts will be added incrementally. RECOMMENDATION: Key success factors for introducing progress testing are partnership with an experienced university, multiple and iterative briefings with staff and students as well as demonstrating the usefulness of progress testing by providing students with detailed feedback on performance. CITATION: lillis et al. progress testing for Medical Students at the university of auckland: results from the first Year of assessments. CORRESPONDENCE: slillis@wave.co.nz paper subject to independent expert blind peer review by minimum of two reviewers. all editorial decisions made by independent academic editor. upon submission manuscript was subject to anti-plagiarism scanning. Prior to publication all authors have given signed confirmation of agreement to article publication and compliance with all applicable ethical and legal requirements, including the accuracy of author and contributor information, disclosure of competing interests and funding sources, compliance with ethical require-ments relating to human and animal study participants, and compliance with any copyright requirements of third parties. this journal is a member of the committee on publication ethics (cope).