Correlation of a written test of skills and a performance based test: a study in two traditional medical schools

Studies in innovative curricula have shown that a written test of skills is potentially able to predict OSCE scores. In this study we verified the pot ential of a written test of skills as an alternative to an OSCE in two trad itional medical schools. A 12 station OSCE was scored using detailed checkl ists and global rating scales. The written test of skins consisted of 132 t rue-false questions. Students were assessed immediately before graduation i n 1997. The size of the reported correlations confirms that the written tes t of skills can be used to predict performance-based test scores in traditi onal medical schools to some extent. For research purposes, particularly fo r outcome research to compare curricula of medical schools, a written test of skills is a viable alternative to performance-based testing A written te st of skills is unable to replace the OSCE for assessment of individual stu dents.