title: A Subgroup Analysis of the Impact of Self-testing Frequency on Examination Scores in a Pathophysiology Course.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if the frequency of self-testing of course material prior to actual examination improves examination scores, regardless of the actual scores on the self-testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Practice quizzes were randomly generated from a total of 1342 multiple-choice questions in pathophysiology and made available online for student self-testing. Intercorrelations, 2-way repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc tests, and 2-group comparisons following rank ordering, were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During each of 4 testing blocks, more than 85% of students took advantage of the self-testing process for a total of 7042 attempts. A consistent significant correlation (p≤0.05) existed between the number of practice quiz attempts and the subsequent examination scores. No difference in the number of quiz attempts was demonstrated compared to the first testing block. Exam scores for the first and second testing blocks were both higher than those for third and fourth blocks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although self-testing strategies increase retrieval and retention, they are uncommon in pharmacy education. The results suggested that the number of self-testing attempts alone improved subsequent examination scores, regardless of the score for self-tests.
authors.affiliation: Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee ; College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Panus
authors.affiliation: Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Nicholas E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Hagemeier
authors.affiliation: Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Jim C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Thigpen
authors.affiliation: College of Clinical and Rehabilitative Health Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brooks
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D000068156:Formative Feedback; D006801:Humans; D010827:Physiology / Q000193:education*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D058013:Test Taking Skills
keywords: active learning; formative assessment; pharmacy education; self-testing