The value of noncognitive factors in predicting students' first-year academic probation.
OBJECTIVE
To test the value of Sedlacek's Noncognitive Questionnaire (NQ) in predicting the risk of academic probation for first-year students at the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University.


METHODS
Ninety-six of 106 students completed the NQ during their first week of medical school. The NQ assesses the students in eight noncognitive domains such as academic positive self-concept and realistic self-appraisal. Using a previously derived grade-point average (GPA) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)-based risk-prediction equation, students were classified as high- or low-risk for first-year academic probation. At the end of their first year, students actually on probation were identified.


RESULTS
High-risk students scored significantly higher than did low-risk students in both academic positive self-concept and realistic self-appraisal. The NQ factors alone predicted risk at a 70% accuracy rate, slightly lower than when the previously derived risk equation was used (74%).


CONCLUSIONS
Sedlacek's noncognitive factors did not improve upon a prediction of academic probation based on GPA and MCAT scores. Sedlacek's NQ may lack the sensitivity required for use with medical students. Further research may identify more appropriate noncognitive factors.
Mavis
B
B
Office of Medical Education Research and Development, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824-1316, USA. mavis@pilot.msu.edu
Doig
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001290:Attitude; D003071:Cognition; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005544:Forecasting; D006040:Goals; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007857:Leadership; D008824:Michigan; D010551:Personality; D011287:Prejudice; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires