title: [Factors for success in the first year of medical school (PCEM 1) at Paris V University (France)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The first year of medical school in France (PCEM 1) is very competitive, as the 2004-2005 success rate at the Paris V university was below 20%. Future medical students, as well as the other actors of medical education, are therefore willing to know what are the factors for success in PCEM 1 as well as whether or not the widespread complementary classes are necessary.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to determine these factors, a survey among the first and second year medical students (PCEM 1 and PCEM 2) was carried on.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The only two significant success factors found were the good results obtained at the scientific high school graduation exam (Baccalauréat S) and doing the first year for the second time. Neither attending complementary classes nor a short time to go to the faculty seemed to higher the odds for success.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, Faculté de médecine René-Descartes Paris 5, 75908 Pais.
authors.forename: Adrien Thomas
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Flahault
authors.forename: Pierre-Louis
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Couturier
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chatellier
mesh_terms: D003099:College Admission Test; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010297:Paris; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000639:trends; D012737:Sex Factors; D013337:Students, Medical