Can we predict students’ academic achievement through motivation and preadmission scores? A cross-sectional study

Rozina Nazir; Muhammad Kaleem; Sidra Aamer; Nadia Zaib; Ahsan Malik; Fizza Sahar Anwar

Can we predict students’ academic achievement through motivation and preadmission scores? A cross-sectional study

Authors

Rozina Nazir BDS, FCPS, MHPE; Professor and Head Dept of Orthodontics, Foundation University College of Dentistry , Foundation University Islamabad.
Muhammad Kaleem BDS, MCPS, CHPE; Professor and Head Dept of Periodontology, Rawal College of Dentistry, Rawal Institute of Health Science Islamabad.
Sidra Aamer BDS, MSc, MHPE; Professor and Head Dept of Dental Material Sciences, Foundation University College of Dentistry , Foundation University Islamabad.
Nadia Zaib BDS, MPhil; Professor and Head Dept of Oral Pathology, Foundation University College of Dentistry, Foundation University Islamabad.
Ahsan Malik BDS, MMEd; Assistant Professor Head Dept of Dental Education and Research Foundation University College of Dentistry, Foundation University Islamabad.
Fizza Sahar Anwar BDS, MHPE; Assistant Professor Dept of Dental Education and Research Foundation University College of Dentistry, Foundation University Islamabad.

Keywords:

Academic success, correlation, dental, motivation

Abstract

Introduction: There are many different procedures which are being employed to induct students into dental colleges. These procedures were debated many times because of their low reliability and predictive validity.

Material and methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted at Margalla College of Dentistry (MCD) Margalla Institute of Health Sciences (MIHS). Second, third and final year BDS students were selected by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Sample size comprises of 264 students. These students were asked to fill out a 'Strength of Motivation for Dental School' (SMDS) questionnaire. The results of pre-admission grades of these students and the professional examination results of first, second and third professionals in the college were gathered and the correlation between pre-admission grades and motivation level of students with academic achievement was calculated.

Results: Only 32.5% of students were strongly motivated but majority (66.3%) of the students had a moderate level of motivation. There was a weak correlation between students’ academic performance and pre-admission achievement scores and motivation. This study fails to reject the null hypothesis (p-value > 0.05) and concluded that not enough evidence is available to suggest that there is a significant correlation between pre-admission grades and level of motivation of students with the academic achievement.

Conclusions: Choosing students for admission in dental colleges only on the basis of pre-admissions scores or motivation level may not be a feasible option. A blend of both cognitive ability and non-cognitive skills including various personality attributes should be used when selecting students for health professions education.