Standardized test scores as an admission requirement.
OBJECTIVE
The usefulness of standardized test scores as an admission requirement for the University of Washington Medical Technology Program (UWMTP) was evaluated. Scores from the Allied Health Professions Admissions Test (AHPAT) were used.


METHODS
Student data (n = 183) were analyzed and evaluated statistically using Pearson correlation and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. Sensitivity and specificity for several admissions criteria were calculated.


METHODS
The UWMTP is a 2 + 2 medical technology program (MTP) located in a large public university.


METHODS
Student records for classes of 1993 through 2000 were reviewed. Eligibility for inclusion was based on completeness of student record.


METHODS
Several admission criteria were analyzed for their ability to predict success in the UWMTP and on the ASCP Board of Registry (BOR) certification examination, and for their sensitivity and specificity.


RESULTS
Pearson correlations for the AHPAT total score were r = 0.402 with the MTP GPA and r = 0.414 with the BOR exam. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis defined the decreased likelihood of failure for each unit increase in the test score. For the MTP GPA, the risk decrease was 0.8% for the AHPAT total and 2.8% for the Biology subtest. For the BOR exam, the risk decrease was 0.8% for the AHPAT total and 2.8% for the Verbal subtest. The admissions criteria selected based on specificity (26.7%) and maximum sensitivity (100%) was one in which the student must achieve at least two of the following three scores: AHPAT total > or = 150, Biology subtest score > or = 10, Verbal subtest score > or = 5.


CONCLUSIONS
Scores on a standardized test can be used to predict success in a MTP and on the ASCP BOR exam.
Goodyear
Nancy
N
Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. ngoody@u.washington.edu
Lampe
Mary F
MF
D002568:Certification; D003099:College Admission Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D006801:Humans; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity