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Authors Gauer JL, Jackson JB
Received 8 July 2017
Accepted for publication 17 August 2017
Published 15 September 2017 Volume 2017:8 Pages 627—632
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/AMEP.S145839
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single-blind
Peer reviewers approved by Dr Akshita Wason
Peer reviewer comments 2
Editor who approved publication: Dr Anwarul Azim Majumder
Introduction: Medical schools worldwide are faced with the challenge of
selecting from among many qualified applicants. One factor that might help
admissions committees identify future exceptional medical students is scores on
standardized entrance exams. The purpose of this study was to determine the
association between scores on the most commonly used standardized medical
school entrance exam in the USA, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and
election to the US medical honors society, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA).
Method: MCAT scores and AOA membership data were
analyzed for all the students pursuing Doctor of Medicine degrees at the
University of Minnesota Medical School and who graduated between 2012–2016
(n=1,309).
Results: An independent-samples t -test found a significant
difference (t=6.132, p <0.001) in MCAT
scores between those who were elected to AOA (n=179) and those who were not
(n=1,130). On average, students who were elected to AOA had composite MCAT
scores of 1.65 points higher than those who were not. Percentages of students
elected to AOA gradually but inconsistently increased with MCAT score. No
student who scored <27 on the MCAT was elected to AOA. Among students with
MCAT scores at the 99th percentile or above (scores of ≥38), 13 of 48 (27.1%)
were elected to AOA.
Discussion: Election to AOA during medical school was
significantly associated with higher MCAT scores. Admissions committees should
carefully consider the role of standardized entrance exam scores, in the
context of a holistic review, when selecting for exceptional medical students.
Keywords: AOA election,
t-test, admissions, medical school, cumulative percentage, medical student
honors, selection