High School Grade, English Language Proficiency and Computer Skills as Predictors of Performance Over Five Years of Dental College: Analysis and Interpretation

Abstract

Colleges of Dentistry are faced with the annual task of selecting the dental applicants most likely to excel out of an extremely competitive applicant pool. The aim of this study was to investigate variables that influence student's performance in a retrospective sample including all undergraduate students who entered in to Ajman dental college, between 1989 and 2010 (n=1141). Demographic and educational variables were used to predict performance in the overall curriculum and course groups. Standard ANOVA tests were used to examine the relationship between multiple indicators of admission criteria and dental college performance for the sixth cohort at the College of Dentistry, Ajman University. The admission criteria included the high school grade, English language and computer skills. Measures of dental college performance were the yearly and final dental college GPA/AGPA (Grade-Point-Average/Accumulative-Grade-Point-Average) and academic progress through the dental program. In general, most admission criteria were good indicators of dental college performance. Multivariate analyses indicated that students with higher grades in high school and English language and computer skill scores were more likely to achieve higher AGPA scores. The computer skill GPA and high school score were the most consistent determinants of dental college AGPA. Students with lower high school grade, computer and English language skill were more likely to remediate, to repeat an academic year, or to be dismissed from college.

Does General and Specific Traits of Personality Predict Students’ Academic Performance?

“…UAE universities accept students directly from high schools. Admission to dental school is a very competitive process and depends on the student's high school grades, English language proficiency, and interview [ 23 ].…”