Investigating the Effect of Motivation on the Results of a High-Stakes Medical Examination

• In Event: Impacts and Innovations in Assessment Methods for Professions Education

Abstract

Does the application of stakes affect examinee performance on an examination? We studied this question using score data from a low-stakes examination and, tracing same examinees further in their medical career path, a high-stakes version of the same test taken for the certification purposes. The results indicate that performance is greatly affected by preparedness and motivation. Students in the lower to the middle range of the performance spectrum on the low-stakes examination appeared to benefit the most from preparedness. The largest score gains were more than two standard deviation of the low stakes exam scores. The distribution of score gains across the performance continuum was so spread that prediction of Pass/Fail outcome could not really be accurate when stakes are raised.

Authors

• Irina Grabovsky, National Board of Medical Examiners

• Michael Jodoin, National Board of Medical Examiners

• Carol A. Morrison, National Board of Medical Examiners

• John Phebus, National Board of Medical Examiners