Step-2 Thai Medical Licensing Examination result: a follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
The Thai medical students sat for the Medical Licensing Examination of Thailand (MLET) Step 2 for the first time in 2008. This paper analysed the first batch of Ramathibodi students taking the MLET Steps 1 and 2 in 2006 and 2008 respectively.


METHODS
The scores from the MLET Steps1 and 2, and fifth-year cumulative grade point averages (GPAX) of 108 students were analysed.


RESULTS
Only 6 (5.6%) students failed the MLET Step 2 examination. Students who failed the MLET Step1 were more likely to fail their MLET Step 2 (relative risk, 5.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3-26.0). Students with low GPAX or scoring in the lowest quintile or tertile on the MLET Step1 were also at increased risk of failing the LET Step 2.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that performance on the MLET Step 1 and GPAX are important predictors of a student's chances of passing the MLET Step 2. Students with poor academic achievement or failing the MLET Step1 should be given intensive tutorials to pass the medical licensing examination.
Wanvarie
Samkaew
S
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Rama VI Road, Rajthevi District, Bangkok, Thailand. grswr@mahidol.ac.th
Prakunhungsit
Supavadee
S
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008004:Licensure; D013337:Students, Medical; D013785:Thailand