Wer wird ein guter Arzt?

Abstract

Since 2005, German universities are free to select 60% of their freshmen according to their own admission processes. In 2008, selection of medical students in Germany was mainly based on grades achieved in final school examinations (Abiturnote). Further criteria were used in various combinations: some medical schools conducted interviews or tests, while others rewarded work experience, research awards, or cultural and social dedication. However, solely high school grades and some measures of ability show acceptable validity coefficients with regard to academic and professional success. Evidence for the prognostic validity of interviews and other noncognitive criteria cannot be regarded as sufficient. Recent studies conducted in Hamburg and Heidelberg attempt to validate selection criteria such as a test of natural sciences, final school examination grades, work experience, and voluntary work in the social sector. For the selection of medical students, we recommend the use of final school examination grades in combination with special written test results or, in the case of dentistry, a test of manual dexterity. Interviews might be beneficial to emphasize the importance of non-academic skills and to strengthen the ties of students to their faculty.

Der Vorhersagewert der Abiturdurchschnittsnote und die Prognose der unterschiedlichen Zulassungsquoten für Studienleistung und -kontinuität im Studiengang Humanmedizin – eine Längsschnittanalyse

“…The pre-university academic performance, assessed by school-leaving grades or college grades, serves as the primary admission instrument of medical schools around the world [1], [2]. Even universities that employ additional admission instruments such as in Australia [3], Great Britain [4], [5], Sweden [6], or Israel [7], pre-select their applicants by means of their school-leaving grades.…”

“…With validity coefficients ranging between 0.26-0.58 [2], [8], [9], [10], [11], the school-leaving grade is considered the most reliable predictor for success in the medical course. Its high predictive value has also been documented for other academic courses [8], [9] as well as for non-academic professions [12].…”

“…The prognostic validity of the German baccalaureate for success in the medical course was extensively investigated at the end of the 20th century [9], [13], and on a smaller scale also later [2], [8], primarily with respect to the first, pre-clinical part of the Medical Licensing Examination. It had values of approximately 0.5 [14].…”

Prediction of practical performance in preclinical laboratory courses – the return of wire bending for admission of dental students in Hamburg

“…The remaining study places are assigned by the GPA (20%, top GPA quota) and waiting period quota (20%) [13]. In each quota, GPA has to be considered for the selection process.…”

Eignung von HAM-Nat und TMS-Modul "Medizinisch-naturwissenschaftliches Grundverständnis" für die Studienbewerberauswahl in der Medizin

“…University applicants for medicine are confronted with a variety of different admission procedures in Germany [1]. While GPA is legally prescribed as decisive selection criterion for all universities [2], other criteria as tests, interviews or special achievements can be considered by single faculties.…”