Critical Thinking as a Predictor of Certification Exam Performance in Medical Laboratory Science

Abstract

1. Brooke L. Solberg, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM[⇑][1] 1. 501 N. Columbia Road Stop 9037, UND SMHS Department of Pathology, Grand Forks, ND 1. Address for Correspondence: Brooke L. Solberg, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM , 501 N. Columbia Road Stop 9037, UND SMHS Department of Pathology, Grand Forks, ND 58202, 701-777-224, brooke.solberg{at}med.und.edu The purpose of this study was to examine the value of critical thinking skills in predicting American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) exam scores for the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) category. Existing data for undergraduate students in an accredited MLS program during the years of 2009-2012 were examined. Specifically, scores from a Critical Thinking Exercise (CTE) administered during the application process, along with Grade Point Average (GPA), Science Grade Point Average (SGPA), and ASCP BOC exam and subsection scores were analyzed. Results suggest that the CTE is a weak to negligible predictor of ASCP BOC exam performance ( r =0.113), while GPA and SGPA are stronger, statistically significant predictors ( r =0.358; r =0.428; p