Authors:

Abstract

Introduction: National License Examination (NLE) is organized by the Consortium of Thai Medical Schools to assess the competency of medical students. Part I-NLE involves an evaluation of basic science knowledge. Our objective was to evaluate factors associated with the results of part-I NLE.

Methods: Learning attitude and behavior, preparation for and attitude towards the NLE were surveyed by a questionnaire given to all third to fifth year students (in 2010) at the institution. Additional data collected were: gender, admission and aptitude tests scores, cumulative grade point average (GPA) during the first two years, and the results of part-I NLE. Association of these factors and the results of the examination were studied.

Results: Mean age of 206 participants was 21.1 + 0.74 years. 55% were female 45% male. Mean aptitude and admission scores were 18.9 + 2.64 and 51.4 ± 8.75, respectively while mean of GPA was 3.0 ± 0.33. From the questionnaire: mean scores of learning behavior, preparation and attitude towards the NLE were 3.3 ± 0.40, 3.1 ± 0.57, and 3.3 ± 0.61, respectively. There were174/ 206 students who passed the NLE. Factors significantly associated with achievement were: good GPA > 3.0, good learning behaviors (score > 3.0), and good preparation for the examination (score > 3.2).

Conclusions: Recent academic effort and performance (represented as GPA and behaviors in learning and preparation for the examination) were more important than remote academic background (represented as aptitude and admission scores).Medical teachers should stimulate students to have continuous effort in learning and preparation for the examination.

Keywords: National license examination, Learning attitude, Learning behavior, Preparation methods for the examination, Attitude towards the NLE