[Predictive validity of selection process in medical school, a systematic review of the literature]

Abstract

Context: The number of applicants to medical school exceeds the number of places available, a situation that questions the effectiveness and relevance of medical student assessment and selection.

Objectives: The objective of this review of the literature was to analyze in a systematic way the studies looking for an association between results of an admission procedure and a later evaluation of the characteristics of the students or the doctors that they became.

Documentary sources (key words and language): MedLine, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. The articles written in English were selected. The keywords were: "medical school"; "student admissions"; "student selection"; "predictive validity"; "student performance"; "interview"; "MCAT" (Medical College Admission Test); "MMI" (Mini Mental Interview).

Results: Of the 1116 listed publications, 22 were analyzed. Criteria assessed at the admission (standardized written tests, evaluation of personality and social skills, academic evaluation, demographic characteristics) were confronted with the criteria measured during the follow-up (academic or clinical evaluations). The previous academic results and the standardized written tests seem associated to academic success in medical school.

Conclusion: The actual selection methods used in our French medical universities are very different from those described in international literature. It is difficult to clearly define factors associated with success during student selection as there is a great diversity of cultures and methods involved.