title: Does performance in selection processes predict performance as a dental student?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated associations between the performance of dental students in each of the three components of the selection procedure [academic average, Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) and structured interview], socio-demographic characteristics and their academic success in an undergraduate dental surgery programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  Longitudinal review of admissions data relating to students entering dental education at the University of Otago, New Zealand, between 2004 and 2009 was compared with academic performance throughout the dental programme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After controlling for variables, pre-admission academic average, UMAT scores and interview performance did not predict performance as a dental student. Class place in second year, however, was a strong predictor of class place in final year. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the best predictors of higher class placement in the final year were New Zealand European ethnicity and domestic (rather than international) student status. Other socio-demographic characteristics were not associated with performance. These interim findings provide a sound base for the ongoing study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study found important socio-demographic differences in pre-admission test scores, but those scores did not predict performance in the dental programme, whether measured in second year or in final year.
authors.affiliation: Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. alison.rich@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rich
authors.forename: K M S
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ayers
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Thomson
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rohan
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Seymour
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003099:College Admission Test; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D013335:Students, Dental