title: Medical students' views on selection tools for medical school--a mixed methods study.
abstract: It is important to ensure that the tools used in Medical School selection are acceptable to students and applicants. A questionnaire was administered to year 1 medical students in 2010 to determine the suitability of a variety of selection tools and the acceptability of HPAT-Ireland in particular. There were 291 respondents a 77% response rate representing approximately one third of all school leaver entrants that year. While the majority 285 (98%) were in favour of using school leaving examinations there was also support for the use of interviews 215 (74%) and other tools. Three quarters of Irish respondents 159 (76%) agreed that HPAT-Ireland is a fair test overall however section 3 (non-verbal reasoning) appeared less acceptable and relevant than other sections. A little over half had taken a preparatory HPAT-Ireland course 112 (54%). Medical school applicants appear to accept the use of non-traditional tools in the selection process.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hennessy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Last
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dunne
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Flynn
mesh_terms: D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires