title: The predictive utility of nontraditional test scores for first-year pharmacy student academic performance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the value of employing the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), Defining Issues Test (DIT), and Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) in predictive models for first-year pharmacy student academic performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six years of pharmacy student admission and progression data were evaluated. Additional predictive validity offered by these variables over a model of prepharmacy grade point average and pharmacy college admission test (PCAT) score was examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the 3 measures offered the ability to predict first-semester or first-year academic performance over and above GPA and PCAT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The LASSI, DIT, and WGCTA do not appear to assess abilities that are directly related to academic performance; however, these instruments may be useful in assessing other student attributes that are highly desirable for the practice of pharmacy.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, USA. bigbill@olemiss.edu
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Lobb
authors.forename: Noel E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Wilkin
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: McCaffrey
authors.forename: Marvin C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bentley
mesh_terms: D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012570:School Admission Criteria / Q000639:trends; D013339:Students, Pharmacy