CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 812Medical Education and AdmissionsDiversity and Career in MedicineInnovations in Medical Education

Factors associated with success in medical school: systematic review of the literature

Open access
Ferguson, Eamonn, James, David, Madeley, Laura·2002·BMJ
DOI 10.1136/bmj.324.7343.952PMC PMC102330
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Previous academic performance is a good, but not perfect, predictor of achievement in medical training It accounts for 23% of the variance in performance in undergraduate medical training and 6% of that in postgraduate competency Long term prospective cohort studies or case-control studies are needed to examine predictors of success after qualification, and reliable, valid, and fair models of medical job competence need to be developed Relatively little research has been done into the importance of learning styles, interviews, ethnicity, sex, personal statements, and references, but a strategic learning style, white ethnicity, and female sex are associated with success in medical training

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

Previous academic performance is a moderate predictor of undergraduate medical success and a small predictor of postgraduate competence; after correction it explains 23% and 6% of variance respectively. Strategic learning style, white ethnicity, and female sex are associated with success, while evidence on interviews, personality, personal statements, and references is limited or mixed.

Key findings

  • Previous academic performance had an uncorrected average effect size of 0.30 for undergraduate medical success and 0.14 for postgraduate competence. After correction for unreliability and range restriction, these rose to 0.48 and 0.24, accounting for 23% and 6% of variance respectively.
  • Strategic learning was consistently positively associated with final marks (uncorrected r 0.178 to 0.26), and “convergers” tended to perform better than other Kolb learning styles. Deep learning showed positive associations in some studies (0.157 to 0.262), while surface learning showed a negative association in one study (−0.204) but was not consistently replicated.
  • Women tended to perform better than men in medical training and clinical assessments, though some early assessment differences favoured men and were small. Ethnic minority students were more likely to fail a medical examination than white students, but non-UK ethnic minority students in the UK may perform better than white UK students; previous academic performance tended to overpredict for ethnic minorities and underpredict for white students.
  • Personality findings included conscientiousness as a positive predictor of preclinical achievement (standardised regression coefficient = 0.58) even after controlling for A level grades, extraversion predicting success in paediatric objective examinations (0.51), and state anxiety weakly negatively associated with performance (3% of variance), while trait anxiety was not significantly related. Interviews may add predictive information, but the academic reference had no predictive value and personal statements had too few data for conclusions.

Methods

  • Systematic review conducted June to August 2000, searching Medline OVID, Web of Science, and PsycLIT, plus hand-searching Medical Education, Journal of Medical Education, and Academic Medicine and reference lists. Inclusion required clear predictors and outcomes, acceptable statistical analysis, medicine-specific studies, and validated indices for non-academic predictors.
  • Meta-analysis used hierarchical linear modelling with correlation coefficients as level 1 variables and sample sizes as level 2 variables; correlations were Fisher r-to-Z transformed, and effect sizes were corrected for unreliability and range restriction. Cohen’s calibration was used for interpretation.
  • The review identified 62 papers on previous academic performance, 31 on personality, 16 on sex, 14 on ethnicity, 11 on motivation or study habits, 16 on interviews, 2 on personal statements, and 1 on references. The undergraduate meta-analysis included 753 usable correlation coefficients from 21,905 participants; the postgraduate meta-analysis included 32 coefficients from 2,487 participants across 5 studies.

Limitations

  • Stated: few comparative analyses exist; more research is needed on learning styles, interviews, personal statements, and references; long-term prospective cohort or case-control studies are needed for predictors of success after qualification; reliable, valid, and fair models of medical job competence are needed; the “criterion problem” complicates assessing postgraduate clinical performance; personality measures were too varied for meta-analysis; insufficient data prevented meta-analysis for ethnicity, sex, learning styles, and personal statements; interview studies had small cohorts (23–113), selection biases, and limited outcome measures.
  • Stated: no studies examined whether differential experiences of medical training contribute to ethnic differences in performance.
  • Evident from the text: the search was limited to three databases and three journals plus reference checking, no assessment of publication bias is mentioned, and the meta-analysis combined diverse academic indicators despite wide variability in effect sizes that was not explained by sample size.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1136/bmj.324.7343.952

Cites

35 of 35 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 77 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingcitation

    State anxiety is significantly but weakly (3% of variance) negatively associated with aspects of medical performance.

    “Results of state-trait anxiety studies have shown that state anxiety (anxiety in relation to a specific event, in this case examinations) is significantly, but weakly (3% of the variance), negatively associated with aspects of medical performance”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w63,w84

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Findingown data

    This variability in effect sizes was not significantly associated with sample size for either the undergraduate or postgraduate analysis.

    “This variability was not significantly associated with sample size for either the undergraduate analysis or the postgraduate analysis.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingreasoning

    A meta-analysis of personality measures was not possible owing to the wide variety of measures used.

    “A meta-analysis of the personality measures was not possible owing to the wide variety of measures used”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Previous academic performance accounts for 23% of the variance in performance in undergraduate medical training after correction for unreliability and range restriction.

    “It accounts for 23% of the variance in performance in undergraduate medical training”
    • Also stated in: § Tests of previous academic performance · hedged
      “This corrected coefficient indicates that 23% of variance in medical school performance can be explained by previous academic performance.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingcitation

    Trait anxiety is not significantly related to medical performance.

    “but that trait anxiety (non-specific anxiety) is not significantly related to performance.w63,w84”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w63,w84

      Not checked in the free run.

  • The quote only partly states this claim. 4
  • May combine two claims. 23
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 21

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In the prediction of undergraduate medical success, the average uncorrected effect size for previous academic performance was 0.30 (SE 0.016, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.33, P < 0.00001).

    “In the prediction of undergraduate medical success, the average effect size was 0.30 (SE 0.016, range -0.22 to 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.27 to 0.33, P < 0.00001).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Well being and achievement via conformance are correlated with success in oral examinations (0.22 and 0.32).

    “well being and achievement via conformance with success in oral examinations (0.22 and 0.32).w79”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w79

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Correction for unreliability increased the postgraduate effect size correlation to 0.17 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.27), and further correction for restriction of range increased it to 0.24 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.37).

    “Correction for unreliability increased the effect size correlation to 0.17 (95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.27), and further correction for restriction of range increased it to 0.24 (0.08 to 0.37).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Relatively little research has been done into the importance of learning styles, interviews, ethnicity, sex, personal statements, and references.

    “Relatively little research has been done into the importance of learning styles, interviews, ethnicity, sex, personal statements, and references”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Some evidence shows that deep learning has a positive association with performance in examinations (0.157 to 0.262), but other studies have failed to replicate this finding.

    “However, although some evidence shows that deep learning has a positive association with performance in examinations (0.157 to 0.262), w28,w104 other studies have failed to replicate this finding.w101,w103”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites w28

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w104

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w101

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given

    The indicators of previous academic performance ranged widely in the types of assessment and the response formats used.

    “The indicators of previous academic performance ranged widely in the types of assessment and the response formats used.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    These sex differences were small and reached significance only when the sample sizes were large.

    “However, these differences were small and reached significance only when the sample sizes were large.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    No studies have examined whether differential experiences of training in medical schools contribute to the difference in prediction for ethnic minorities and white students.

    “No studies have examined whether differential experiences of training in medical schools contribute to this difference.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingcitation

    Women are more likely to attain an honours degree.

    “and are more likely to attain an honours degree.w2”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w2

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    A significant negative association has been reported between surface learning and examination performance (for example, -0.204), but several studies have failed to replicate this effect.

    “Similarly, although a significant negative association has been reported between surface learning and examination performance (for example, -0.204), w28 several studies have failed to replicate this effect.w91,w101,w103”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites w28

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w91

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w101

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In medical students, the use of strategic learning has a significant positive association with final marks (uncorrected r 0.178 to 0.26), with only one study failing to replicate this effect.

    “The studies examining the tripartite model in medical students have shown a relatively consistent finding of a significant positive association between the use of strategic learning and final marks (uncorrected r 0.178 to 0.26) w28,w99,w103-w105 ; only one study failed to replicate this effect.w101”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites w28

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w99

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w103-w105

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingnone given

    The most commonly used personality test has been the California personality inventory.

    “The most commonly used test has been the California personality inventory.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Two studies suggested that men slightly outperformed women on early assessments (e.g., NBME part I) but that these differences disappeared later (NBME part II).

    “Two studies suggested that men slightly outperformed women on early assessments (for example, National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) part I) but that these differences disappeared later (NBME part II).w85,w86”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w85,w86

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    In one study, "service quality variables" (such as "helping others") predicted women's clinical grades and "individual mastery variables" (such as "intellectual growth") predicted men's clinical grades.

    “For example, in one study, “service quality variables” (such as “helping others”) predicted women's clinical grades and “individual mastery variables” (such as “intellectual growth”) predicted men's clinical grades.w89”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w89

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Measures of previous academic performance tend to overpredict for ethnic minorities but to underpredict for white students.

    “However, measures of previous academic performance tend to overpredict for ethnic minorities but to underpredict for white students.w94,w95”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w94,w95

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingcitation

    A significant difference was reported between men and women in NBME part II paediatrics scores, with men scoring 82.13 and women 82.70.

    “For example, a significant difference was reported between men and women in NBME part II paediatrics scores, with men scoring 82.13 and women 82.70.w86”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w86

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given

    The research that has been undertaken has mainly concentrated on measures of previous academic ability as a predictor of undergraduate achievement.

    “The research that has been undertaken has mainly concentrated on measures of previous academic ability as a predictor of undergraduate achievement.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Studies comparing medical students who were interviewed and accepted with those accepted without interview or rejected by one school but accepted at another showed no differences and concluded that the interview added little to the selection process.

    “These studies showed no differences and concluded that the interview added little to the selection process.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites w113

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w114

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w107

      Not checked in the free run.

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingcitation

    Studies relating interviewers' ratings to interviewees' early preclinical success, withdrawal, dropout rates, and overall rating of graduate physicians' potential competency reported evidence that interview scores were able to predict future success.

    “These studies reported evidence that interview scores were able to predict future success.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites w27

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w30

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w111

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given

    Relatively few studies provide comparative analyses of the predictive power of the wide variety of factors used in combination for selecting medical students (interview, grade point average, learning styles, personality).

    “Relatively few studies provide comparative analyses of the predictive power of the wide variety of factors used in combination for selecting medical students (interview, grade point average, learning styles, personality).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    Our meta-analysis confirms the pattern that pre-medical scores show a weak relation to internship competence and that previous academic performance has a weaker relation to intern performance than to undergraduate success.

    “This pattern of findings is confirmed by our meta-analysis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Virtually no research has examined the predictive power of personal statements.

    “Virtually no research has examined the predictive power of personal statements.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    Little is known about the impact of inter-interviewer variation, whether any systematic biases exist, and the effect of training for interviewers.

    “However, little is known about factors such as the impact of inter-interviewer variation, whether any systematic biases exist, and the effect of training for interviewers.w117”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w117

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Findingnone given

    Few studies have examined the effects of learning styles, interviews, personal statements, and references in relation to achievement in medical training.

    “Few studies have examined the effects of learning styles, interviews, personal statements, and references in relation to achievement in medical training.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Cohen's calibration classes effect size 0.10 as small, 0.30 as moderate, and 0.50 or greater as large.

    “Cohen argues that an effect size of 0.10 should be classed as “small,” 0.30 as “moderate,” and 0.50 or greater as “large.””
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The uncorrected correlation coefficient for undergraduate performance would be classed as moderate, and the final corrected coefficient approaches a large effect.

    “The uncorrected correlation coefficient would be classed as moderate in size according to Cohen's calibration, and the final corrected coefficient approaches a large effect.12”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Both unreliability and restriction of range statistically limit the size of correlations between predictors and outcomes.

    “Both these factors (unreliability and restriction of range) statistically limit the size of the correlations between predictors and outcomes.8”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] Hunter JE Schmidt FL .Methods of meta-analysis. London:Sage,1990.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Previous academic performance is a good, but not perfect, predictor of achievement in medical training.

    “Previous academic performance is a good, but not perfect, predictor of achievement in medical training”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Both the uncorrected and corrected coefficients for postgraduate performance are classed as small.

    “Both the uncorrected and corrected coefficients are classed as small according to Cohen's calibration.12”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The criteria medical schools use to select future doctors are similar across the country.

    “The criteria medical schools use to select future doctors are similar across the country.4”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] McManus, 1998, Factors affecting likelihood of applicants being offered a place in medical schools in the United Kingdom in 1996 and 1997: retrospective study., BMJ source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Different aspects of previous academic performance might be differentially predictive at different stages of training.

    “Different aspects of previous academic performance might be differentially predictive at different stages of training, w26”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w26

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The finding that medical students with high preclinical and clinical GPAs were more likely to express an external orientation seems at variance with studies showing higher internal beliefs are associated with academic success.

    “This seems to be at variance with studies showing that higher levels of internal beliefs are associated with academic success.13”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Conscientiousness has been shown in previous research to be related to success in a variety of occupational settings, and extraversion has been correlated with success in jobs that involve a social dimension (for example, sales).

    “Conscientiousness has been shown in previous research to be related to success in a variety of occupational settings, and extraversion has been correlated with success in jobs that involve a social dimension (for example, sales).18”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] Tett, 1991, Personality measures as predictors of job performance: a meta-analytic review., Pers Psychol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Some subscales of the California personality inventory, especially the achievement subscales, may relate to conscientiousness in the Big 5.

    “Some of the subscales of the California personality inventory, especially the achievement subscales, may relate to conscientiousness in the Big 5.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S1 (asserted), S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Higher levels of internal beliefs are associated with academic success.

    “This seems to be at variance with studies showing that higher levels of internal beliefs are associated with academic success.13”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [13] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Arousal theory postulates that people perform best at an optimal level of arousal.

    “This is consistent with arousal theory, which postulates that people perform best at an optimal level of arousal.15”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [15] Yerkes, 1908, The relation of strength of stimulus to rapidity of habit-formation., J Compar Neurol Psychol source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Big 5 factors underlie normal personality and can be found in previously reported measures of personality.

    “Recent developments in personality theory have suggested that five factors underlie normal personality and that these can be found in previously reported measures of personality.16 17”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [16] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [17] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Defensive externals act much like internals but endorse an external orientation as a verbal defence against failure.

    “Defensive externals act much like internals but endorse an external orientation as a verbal defence against failure.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [14] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The trait stability of learning styles is only a moderate effect, suggesting that learning styles can change.

    “However, this is only a moderate effect, suggesting that learning styles can change.w28”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites w28

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    One solution to the criterion problem has been to develop competency based models of core and specific skills through detailed job analyses of individual medical specialties.

    “One solution to this problem has been to develop competency based models of core and specific skills, through detailed job analyses of individual medical specialties.30”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [30] Patterson, 2000, A competency model for general practice: implications for selection, training and development., Br J Gen Pract

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The finding that academic reference has no predictive value is consistent with conclusions from studies of the value of references in other occupations.

    “This is consistent with the conclusions from studies of the value of references in other occupations.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The interview studies had methodological limitations, including small numbers (cohort range 23-113), a failure to eliminate selection biases, and a limited range of outcome measures.

    “However, the studies had methodological limitations, including the use of small numbers (cohort range 23-113), a failure to eliminate selection biases, and a limited range of outcome measures.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Predictors are likely to be intercorrelated, as are outcome measures.

    “Predictors are likely to be intercorrelated, 31,w10 as are outcome measures.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [31] source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites w10

      Not checked in the free run.

43 of 43

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Students entering medical school are likely to be at the top end of the potential range of scores for previous academic performance and are also likely to do well in their medical school training.

    “In addition, students entering medical school are likely to be at the top end of the potential range of scores for previous academic performance and are also likely to do well in their medical school training.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Previous academic ability, personal statements, references, and interviews are traditionally used in selection, while personality and learning styles are not traditionally used.

    “Previous academic ability, personal statements, references, and interviews are all traditionally used in selection, but how good are they at predicting future performance?Personality and learning styles are not traditionally used, but should they be?”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Learning across the medical degree (and postgraduate learning) occurs over time.

    “Furthermore, learning across the medical degree (and indeed postgraduate learning) occurs over time, and time series analyses and models that allow for prediction of change over time would also be a useful approach.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The personal statement forms an important part of the current selection process in the United Kingdom.

    “This is an important area for future research, as the personal statement forms an important part of the current selection process in the United Kingdom.”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • A correlation of 0.48 is called large despite the stated cutoff

    Minor

    The paper defines a large effect size as 0.50 or greater, but later calls the corrected correlation of 0.48 large.

1 of 1

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Prat, 1993, Predicting the first-year performance of international medical graduates in an internal medicine residency., Acad Med, 11, 856

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Ferguson, E., James, D., & Madeley, L.
Affiliations
University of Nottingham (GB)
Corresponding author
Ferguson, Eamonn
ORCID
Ferguson, Eamonn
Venue
BMJ
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2002-04-20
Volume
324
Issue
7343
Pages
952-957
ISSN
  • 0007-1447 (ISSN-L)
  • 0959-8138
  • 1468-5833
DOI
10.1136/bmj.324.7343.952
PMC
PMC102330
OpenAlex
W2085677016
Cited by
811
References
35
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 42 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 53 · 2017: 37 · 2016: 56 · 2015: 55 · 2014: 53 · 2013: 48 · 2012: 55
FWCI
2.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.bmj.com/company/legal-information/terms-conditions/legal-information/tdm-licencepolicy (tdm)
Locations
  • BMJ (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Medical Education and Admissions
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Diversity and Career in Medicine
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Innovations in Medical Education
Keywords
predictors of academic performance, undergraduate medical education, graduate medical education, prior academic achievement, learning styles, job interviews, ethnicity, sex differences, personal statements, reference
MeSH terms
Clinical Competence, Education, Medical, Educational Status, Ethnicity, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Learning, Personality Tests, School Admission Criteria, Sex Factors, Linear Models

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review