[Comparative study of the performance of different cohorts evaluating whether they have entered university with or without admissibility course].
BACKGROUND
The present paper analyses the overall performance of different cohorts which graduated the same year, taking into account whether or not they had an admissibility course to the School of Medicine.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate that with the implementation of the entrance exam, the following two variables improved considerably: average mark during the course of studies and duration of the course of studies.


METHODS
The graduation rates corresponding to the years 1999-2003 were analyzed, differentiating those students entering university before the year 1991--without entrance exam--and those entering it as from 1992--with entrance exam.


RESULTS
Analyzing the graduation years corresponding to the periods 1999-2003 for those students who entered university in the year 1991 and the previous years (without entrance selection) we have found that the average mark during the course of studies (including failed exams) is 5,64. If we apply the same analysis to those students who entered university in the year 1992--when the Admissibility Course to the Course of Studies begins--and the following years. and with the same years of graduation, we found that the average mark (including failed exams) is 7.09. In the case of the students entering university in the year 1991 and the previous years, the duration of the course of studies is 13.22 years. In the case of the students entering university in the years 1992 and the following years this figure goes down to 7.95 years.


CONCLUSIONS
We can say that both the average marks in the final exams of each subject in the course of studies and the attendance to classes improves considerably when the admissibility course has been attended..
Pérez Albizú
Enrique
E
Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de La Plata Calle 60 y 120 S/N (1900), La Plata. sacademico@atlas.med.unlp.edu.ar
Urrutia
María I
MI
D000124:Achievement; D001118:Argentina; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003099:College Admission Test / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000592:standards*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities